A 52-year-old client’s abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptured. She received rapid massive blood transfusions for bleeding.
One potential complication of blood administration for which she is especially atrisk is:
A . Air embolus
B . Circulatory overload
C . Hypocalcemia
D . Hypokalemia
Answer: C
Explanation:
(A) Air embolism is a potential complication of blood administration, but it is fairly rare and can be prevented by using good IV technique.
(B) Circulatory overload is a potential complication of blood administration, but because this client is actively bleeding, she is not at high risk for overload.
(C) Hypocalcemia is a potential complication of blood administration that occurs in situations where massive transfusion has occurred over a short period of time. It occurs because the citrate in stored blood binds with the client’s calcium. Another potential complication for which this client is especially at risk is hypothermia, which can be prevented by using a blood warmer to administer the blood.
(D) Hypokalemia is not a complication of blood administration.