Blood transfusion

1.What is the minimum amount of time you can transfuse one unit of PRBc- i know max is four hours

2. Why give lasix after a transfusion

For example had a pt with an order of 2 units PRBC'S. Give lasix 40 mg after first unit. Pt had a DX of Gi bleed and chronic anemia, H/H 6.1/18.1.

I am a new nurse- 3rd week on my own. From my workmates/google it seems its to prevent fluid overload. Pt has no chf. Any more info ?
Minimum time depends on the circumstance. There might be a hospital policy on this you need to check. If stable, without symptoms, I would give a floor patient the blood over 2 hours.In an emergency, the rapid infuser can give a unit of blood in minutes depending on the size of IV access.Lasix is pretty common after transfusion or between units. The patient may be at risk from volume overload even without a prior history of CHF.

Minimum time is wide open (in an emergency)You're right about the lasix

Our hospital requires that blood transfusions be hung within 30 minutes after leaving the blood bank, and need to run over a 2 hour span.

Can't your potassium go up too (maybe another reason for lasix) because RBC's sometimes break and release K+? The logical thing might be fluid volume overload like everyone seems to be saying, since they may have enough fluid, just not enough RBC's, and adding those RBC's and IV fluids would cause the body to hold on to fluid more.I'm glad you asked it. Now I'm curious.We have to have it infusing into the pt within 30 min. We have a hospital policy listed on the intranet. My .02

Quote from blessed021.What is the minimum amount of time you can transfuse one unit of PRBc- i know max is four hours2. Why give lasix after a transfusionFor example had a pt with an order of 2 units PRBC'S. Give lasix 40 mg after first unit. Pt had a DX of Gi bleed and chronic anemia, H/H 6.1/18.1.I am a new nurse- 3rd week on my own. From my workmates/google it seems its to prevent fluid overload. Pt has no chf. Any more info ?

You infused blood and had fluids running. I'd say it's a risk for fluid volume overload. In time, you'll figure it out ;-)

1.what is the minimum amount of time you can transfuse one unit of prbc- i know max is four hours

Lasix is used to prevent FVO, and hypercalemia.I work in renal/dialysis. Renal pts who have blood ordered are ideally given their transfusion during dialysis- for fluid removal, and prevetion of hypercalemia.

Quote from blessed02This patients BP on the left arm was 102/44mmhg and on the right arm was 99/56. HR 88. He was also getting D51/2 NS @ 50ml/hr. No edema. Everybody says its to prevent fluid overload but iam not satisfied with this answer.

Quote from blessed02 Everybody says its to prevent fluid overload but iam not satisfied with this answer.

I am looking for information on what the risks are of infusing blood over longer periods of time than the usual 4 hrs., 6 hrs to be specific. The only info I have been able to find so far are an increased risk of infection due to bacteria growth on the filter. Any & all information would be appreciated, thanks

Bacterial growth as well as the RBCs actually breaking down. No point infusing dead cells!