Transfusion Reactions

Question 1

A patient has a fever of 38 degrees but no other symptoms. What is happening?

Answer 1

Febrile Transfusion reaction

Question 2

A patient complains of pain around the cannula and rigors, what is happening?

Answer 2

Haemolytic transfusion reaction e.g. ABO incompatibility

Question 3

A transfusion patient presents with urticaria and pruritis, what’s happening?

Answer 3

Allergy

Question 4

A patient presents with dyspnoea after a transfusion, how would you differentiate the two most likely causes?

Answer 4

TRALI- hypoxia and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates

TACO- peripheral oedema

Question 5

A patient presents post transfusion with angiooedema and stridor- what is happening?

Answer 5

Anaphylaxis

Question 6

Which reactions require stopping?

Answer 6

Haemolytic
TRALI
Anaphylaxis

Question 7

How do you treat a febrile reaction?

Answer 7

Paracetamol

Question 8

How do you treat allergy?

Answer 8

Anti histamines

Question 9

How do you treat TACO?

Answer 9

Slow down transfusion and give diuretics