Effect of platelet transfusion is checked by?

RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2016

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Medium

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2016

Explanation

The primary function of platelets is to initiate clotting and stop bleeding (hemostasis).
A successful platelet transfusion improves the patient's ability to form clots.
The most direct clinical indicator of improved clotting is the reduction or cessation of active bleeding, such as oozing from a puncture site.
This observation provides a real-time assessment of the functional effect of the transfused platelets at the bedside.

Option A: Increased hematocrit level is a measure of the volume percentage of red blood cells. This is the expected outcome of a Packed Red Blood Cell (PRBC) transfusion, not a platelet transfusion.
Option B: Increased hemoglobin level indicates a rise in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Like hematocrit, this is the goal of a PRBC transfusion, not a platelet transfusion.
Option D: Body temperature is not a measure of platelet transfusion efficacy. A change in temperature, specifically an increase (fever), is a potential sign of a febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction, which is a complication.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Evaluation of Platelet Transfusion Efficacy as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses are responsible for monitoring patients post-transfusion. For platelets, this includes assessing IV sites, surgical wounds, and mucous membranes for any signs of continued bleeding or new bleeding.
A lack of improvement in bleeding after a platelet transfusion must be reported to the provider immediately, as it may indicate an underlying issue or the need for further intervention.
What if? If a patient develops a fever and chills during a platelet transfusion, the nurse's priority is not to check for efficacy but to stop the transfusion immediately and notify the provider, as this indicates a probable transfusion reaction.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question: how to evaluate a platelet transfusion.
Recall the primary physiological function of platelets. Their main job is to form clots and stop bleeding.
Analyze each option based on this function. Ask yourself, 'Does this option relate to blood clotting?'
Option A (hematocrit) and B (hemoglobin) relate to red blood cells and oxygen-carrying capacity. Eliminate them.
Option D (body temperature) relates to vital signs and potential complications (like infection or reaction), not the intended therapeutic effect. Eliminate it.
Option C (reduced oozing) directly reflects improved clotting at a site of injury. This aligns perfectly with the function of platelets.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q70sVADpbnfNyHPtcs6x1f

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 806-808

E6 Gynecology Williams p. 9-33