Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 76%
Simulated
A nurse is preparing to transfuse one unit of packed RBC to a client who experienced a mild allergic reaction during a previous transfusion. The nurse should administer diphenhydramine prior to the transfusion for which of the following allergic responses?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
The correct answer is B: Urticaria. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that can help manage allergic reactions like urticaria (hives) by blocking histamine release. Hemolysis (choice A) is a reaction where RBCs are destroyed, not an allergic response. Fever (choice C) can be a sign of a febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction, not directly related to histamine release. Fluid overload (choice D) is a transfusion reaction due to excessive volume, not an allergic response. Administering diphenhydramine is focused on managing histamine-related symptoms like urticaria in this scenario.