During a blood transfusion, which finding would indicate a hemolytic reaction?

During a blood transfusion, which finding would indicate a hemolytic reaction?

• A. Chills and flank pain
• B. Rhinorrhea
• C. Itching only
• D. Nausea

Answer: (A)

The key idea is recognizing signs of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. When donor red blood cells are destroyed inside the bloodstream, the body reacts with symptoms from intravascular hemolysis. Chills indicate fever and systemic reaction, and flank (back) pain reflects irritation and stress on the kidneys from free hemoglobin released during hemolysis. Together, these two findings point to a serious transfusion reaction that requires immediate action. Rhinorrhea, itching only, and nausea can occur with milder, non-hemolytic transfusion reactions or other nonspecific symptoms, but they do not specifically indicate intravascular hemolysis like chills with flank pain do. If chills and flank pain appear during a transfusion, stop the transfusion right away, call the physician, and follow protocol to manage a suspected transfusion reaction.

The key idea is recognizing signs of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. When donor red blood cells are destroyed inside the bloodstream, the body reacts with symptoms from intravascular hemolysis. Chills indicate fever and systemic reaction, and flank (back) pain reflects irritation and stress on the kidneys from free hemoglobin released during hemolysis. Together, these two findings point to a serious transfusion reaction that requires immediate action.

Rhinorrhea, itching only, and nausea can occur with milder, non-hemolytic transfusion reactions or other nonspecific symptoms, but they do not specifically indicate intravascular hemolysis like chills with flank pain do. If chills and flank pain appear during a transfusion, stop the transfusion right away, call the physician, and follow protocol to manage a suspected transfusion reaction.