During the start of a blood transfusion, for how many minutes should the nurse stay with the patient?

• A. 5 minutes
• B. 10 minutes
• C. 15 minutes
• D. 20 minutes

Answer: (C)

The important idea is to closely observe the patient during the initial period after starting a blood transfusion. Most acute transfusion reactions appear early, so staying with the patient at the start allows the nurse to detect any signs quickly—fever, chills, itching or hives, shortness of breath, or sudden changes in blood pressure or respirations. If a reaction develops, the transfusion can be stopped immediately and appropriate actions taken. If the patient remains stable during this early window, the infusion can continue with routine monitoring. This early observation period is chosen specifically to catch problems fast; shorter checks might miss reactions, while longer ones aren’t needed for the initial detection.