Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction typically develops within the first 15 minutes and presents with which combination of signs?

Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction typically develops within the first 15 minutes and presents with which combination of signs?

• A. Chills, fever, lower back pain, tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypotension
• B. Headache and lightheadedness only
• C. Rash and pruritus only
• D. Cough and wheeze only

Answer: (D)

Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction happens when donor red cells are destroyed by the recipient’s antibodies, usually within minutes of starting the transfusion. The early, characteristic signs come from intravascular hemolysis and resulting circulatory instability: fever with chills, lower back (flank) pain, fast heart rate, rapid breathing, and a drop in blood pressure. This combination reflects the inflammatory response to free hemoglobin and the ensuing hemodynamic stress. Headache and lightheadedness can occur with many issues and aren’t specific to this reaction. Rash and itching are more typical of a mild allergic reaction to plasma proteins, which usually doesn’t feature the back pain and hypotension seen with acute hemolysis. Cough and wheeze point to bronchospasm or anaphylaxis, another distinct transfusion reaction that involves the airway rather than the classic intravascular hemolysis picture. So the signs that best fit an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction are fever and chills with lower back pain, tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypotension.

Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction happens when donor red cells are destroyed by the recipient’s antibodies, usually within minutes of starting the transfusion. The early, characteristic signs come from intravascular hemolysis and resulting circulatory instability: fever with chills, lower back (flank) pain, fast heart rate, rapid breathing, and a drop in blood pressure. This combination reflects the inflammatory response to free hemoglobin and the ensuing hemodynamic stress.

Headache and lightheadedness can occur with many issues and aren’t specific to this reaction. Rash and itching are more typical of a mild allergic reaction to plasma proteins, which usually doesn’t feature the back pain and hypotension seen with acute hemolysis. Cough and wheeze point to bronchospasm or anaphylaxis, another distinct transfusion reaction that involves the airway rather than the classic intravascular hemolysis picture.

So the signs that best fit an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction are fever and chills with lower back pain, tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypotension.