During a transfusion reaction, what ongoing nursing action should be performed?

• A. Remain with the patient for reassurance and monitoring of symptoms and vital signs
• B. Leave the patient unattended to attend to other tasks
• C. Increase the infusion rate
• D. Apply a cold compress to the injection site

Answer: (A)

During a transfusion reaction, the most important ongoing nursing action is to stay with the patient, providing reassurance while closely monitoring symptoms and vital signs. Being at the bedside allows you to detect any rapid changes—such as increasing fever, chills, tachycardia, hypotension, dyspnea, or wheezing—so you can intervene immediately, stop the transfusion, and notify the clinician. Keeping the patient under observation also helps reduce anxiety and ensures quick access to support if symptoms worsen. Leaving the patient unattended delays critical response; increasing the infusion rate would likely worsen a reaction; and a cold compress at the injection site doesn’t address the systemic issues of a transfusion reaction.