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CAAN Nursing Practice Guidelines
APPENDIX 4

Reaction/Incident
Signs and Symptoms
Treatment
Adverse Reactions
-Light/Mild
Pallor, sweating, nervousness, hyperventilation, yawning, restlessness, weakness, nausea, light-headedness, fainting, change in pulse rate.
*Should completely resolve in 15 minutes.
Assist client to recline, elevate feet. Apply cold compress to forehead, temples and back of neck. Loosen tight clothing. Divert client's attention. Maintain normal body temperature. Once recovered, offer cool water and refreshments. If person does not recover within 15 minutes, report to nursing manager/Designate, document incident and further assess.
Adverse Reactions
-Moderate
As for light/mild progressing to unresponsive leading to loss of consciousness, slow pulse rate, shallow respiration-vomiting, hypotension
*Should completely resolve within 15-30 minutes.
Provide privacy, turn client to side, check vital signs as indicated by client's recovery. Offer transportation home, if possible. Provide donor teaching. Document event on a Reaction/Incident Report. If unresolved, active EMS.
Adverse Reactions
-Severe
As for light/mild or moderate accompanied by unresponsiveness lasting > 30 seconds, convulsions, incontinence, tetany, chest pains.
*Recovery time lasts longer than 30 minutes.
Activate EMS as required and/or notify Physician. Maintain open airway, check vital signs every 15 minutes. Document incident on a Reaction/Incident Report.
Air Embolism
Cough, apprehension (air hunger), rapid laboured breathing, shortness of breath, pallor, sweating, mental confusion, chest pain, rapid, weak pulse, and hypotension.
Pause procedure immediately and keep IV line open with normal saline. Turn donor to left side, lower head, raise feet. Administer 02. Check vital signs every 15 minutes. Activate EMS. Notify Nursing Manager/Designate And Physician STAT. Document incident on a Reaction/Incident Report.
Allergic Reactions
Apprehension, weakness, flushing of skin, itching, hives, swelling of eyes, lips or tongue, runny nose, tightness of chest, sneezing, wheezing, cough, difficulty breathing or high pitched wheeze, cyanosis, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, rapid, weak pulse, hypotension, unconsciousness, cardiac arrest.
Stop procedure immediately. Activate the EMS and notify Physician as required. Document vital signs every 5 minutes. Maintain an open airway. Document incident.
Anxiety (Donor)
Teariness, uncontrolled laughter, restlessness, agitation.
Maintain a calm, controlled atmosphere. Divert client through conversation. Provide concise detailed pre-procedural orientation.
Arterial Puncture
Bright red blood which pulsates in tubing, rapid filling of collection pack.
Discontinue donation immediately. Elevate arm and apply direct, hard pressure over site for 15 minutes. Once stopped, apply pressure dressing for 4 hours. Document incident.
Re-bleeding at Venipuncture Site
Leakage of blood from Venipuncture site after initial bleeding had stopped.
Apply firm pressure to bleed site (on top of sterile gauze or appropriate dressing). Escort client back to unit, apply 3 finger firm pressure to bleed site (on top of sterile gauze) for further 5 minutes. Remove soiled gauze/ dressing and discard into a biohazardous container. Apply a pressure dressing. If a bruise or hematoma is noted, apply cold pack or ice for up to 15 minutes. Advise client:
1.Remove bandage in 4-6 hours and resume normal activity.
2. Should swelling persist beyond 24 hours, apply alternating cold compresses and warm compresses to the affected area.
3. Telephone their physician should the injured area become painful.
Clean spills with disinfectant solution. Note: Gloves MUST be worn in treatment of a Re-bleed. Document on a Reaction/Incident Report if bleeding persists.
Red Cell Hemolysis
Pink, lipemic plasma or red plasma, blood in lines or filter may appear dark.
Pause procedure. Notify Physician and Nursing Manager/ Designate.
Red Cell Loss

If unable to return red cells for any reason, document on a Reaction/ Incident Report inform Physician.
Shock
Weakness, anxiety, confusion, pale, cold clammy skin, weak, rapid pulse, drowsiness, unconsciousness.
Assess for unresponsiveness. If unresponsive, active EMS. Monitor airway, breathing and circulation, record vital signs frequently. Inform Nursing Manager and Physician. Document on a Reaction/Incident report.
Sodium Citrate Reaction
Numbness/ tingling of lips, nausea, vomiting, sensation of pressure in chest, muscular twitching, spasm of muscles, particularly hands and feet, convulsions.
Decrease draw/flow rate (thus subsequently decreasing anticoagulant delivery rate). Verify that all disposable equipment has been installed properly to ensure appropriate anticoagulant infusion rate. Keep client warm with blankets. An oral antacid containing calcium may be given every 5 minutes (not exceeding maximum dosage). If mild symptoms subside, continue procedure at rate client can tolerate. If mild symptoms do not subside within 15 minutes, initiate calcium gtt. I.V. If symptoms become severe or if tetany, convulsions, or laryngeal obstruction occur, pause procedure immediately and notify Physician. Start saline gtt. TKVO, do not rinse back until all symptoms are gone. Document on a Reaction/Incident Report.






 
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