ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor Practice Test

Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is a significant symptom that may indicate fluid overload in a client receiving packed red blood cells. When packed red blood cells are administered, particularly in larger volumes or rapidly, there can be an accumulation of fluid in the vascular system. This overload can lead to pulmonary congestion and edema, manifesting as difficulty breathing or dyspnea.

The presence of dyspnea in such a scenario suggests that the heart and lungs are struggling to handle the excess fluid volume. It is crucial to monitor respiratory status carefully in patients receiving blood transfusions because complications related to fluid overload can escalate quickly, requiring immediate intervention.

While fatigue, increased heart rate, and reduced oxygen saturation can also occur during blood transfusions, they are less specific indicators of fluid overload. Fatigue might occur due to anemia or other factors, increased heart rate could result from various conditions including anxiety or underlying cardiovascular issues, and reduced oxygen saturation could be due to multiple causes, not solely linked to fluid overload. Dyspnea, in contrast, directly reflects the impact of excess fluid on the respiratory system, making it a more definitive indicator in this context.