What must be assessed before administering a blood transfusion?

Before administering a blood transfusion, it is crucial to assess vital signs and the patient’s identity. This step ensures that the correct patient receives the right blood product, minimizing the risk of transfusion reactions or complications.

Monitoring vital signs before the transfusion provides a baseline for detecting any changes that may occur as the transfusion progresses. Significant changes in vital signs, such as fever or increased heart rate, may indicate an adverse reaction to the transfusion, allowing for prompt intervention if necessary.

Confirming the patient's identity is a critical safety measure to prevent mismatched blood transfusions, which can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening complications. This involves checking the patient's identification bracelet and matching it with the blood product's information, ensuring that the correct blood type is administered to the right individual.

While assessing allergies and medications, the patient's last meal, and family medical history could be relevant in a broader clinical context, they are not primary assessments necessary just before the blood transfusion itself.