IV Therapy, Blood Products & Central Lines

Before hanging blood products, two licensed staff members verify patient identity and product compatibility per facility policy, vital signs are taken before, 15 minutes after starting, and periodically throughout. The infusion is started slowly, and the nurse remains with the patient for at least the first 15 minutes, since this is the window when a transfusion reaction is most likely to appear (fever, chills, back pain, hypotension, hives) — if a reaction is suspected, the priority action is always to stop the transfusion first, keep the line open with normal saline, then notify the provider.