Before giving a transfusion of packed red blood cells, what safety step should the nurse perform?

• A. Verify the patient’s identity and blood type against the unit
• B. Check the patient’s electrolyte level
• C. Assess the patient’s blood pressure
• D. Record the patient’s dietary intake

Answer: (A)

Before starting a transfusion, the most critical safety step is to verify the patient’s identity and the blood type against the unit. This match ensures the right patient receives the correct blood product and that ABO/Rh compatibility is confirmed through the crossmatch, preventing a potentially deadly transfusion reaction. The process typically involves linking the patient’s identifiers (name and date of birth) with the armband and with the unit’s label, along with checking the blood type, unit number, expiration date, and crossmatch results, often with another clinician verifying as well. Other listed steps—electrolyte level, blood pressure, or dietary intake—do not provide the necessary safeguard against transfusion errors.