What is the primary reason for staying at the bedside during the initial phase of a blood transfusion?

• A. To detect signs of a transfusion reaction
• B. To monitor vital signs every 15 minutes
• C. To ensure patient comfort
• D. To verify the patient’s identity

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the initial moments of a blood transfusion carry the highest risk for an acute reaction, so being at the bedside allows immediate observation for any troubling signs. Early reactions can appear quickly, with symptoms such as fever, chills or rigors, hives or itching, flushing, shortness of breath, chest or back pain, or sudden changes in vital signs. If any of these occur, you can stop the transfusion right away, assess the patient, and initiate the emergency protocol to prevent further harm.

Verifying the patient’s identity is essential and should be done before starting the transfusion, not during the initial observation period. Monitoring vital signs is important for ongoing safety, but the primary reason for staying with the patient at the start is to detect a transfusion reaction as soon as it begins.