After stopping the transfusion, what is the next step in management?

• A. Obtain vital signs and assess the patient
• B. Notify the physician stat
• C. Start the new saline infusion
• D. Send the blood unit to the blood bank

Answer: (A)

The most important next step is to assess the patient and obtain vital signs. After stopping the transfusion, you need a quick, thorough picture of the patient's current status to determine if a transfusion reaction is occurring and how severe it is. Baseline and ongoing vital signs help you detect changes like fever, tachycardia, hypotension, or respiratory distress, which guide the urgency and type of further actions.

Once you have the assessment, you can escalate care appropriately: notify the physician to decide on the next steps, continue IV access with normal saline to support perfusion if needed, and send the blood bag and tubing to the blood bank for testing. The assessment first ensures you respond correctly to the patient’s actual condition rather than guessing based on the situation alone.