Which IV fluid should be used to prime the tubing when infusing packed red blood cells?

Which IV fluid should be used to prime the tubing when infusing packed red blood cells?

• A. Lactated Ringer's solution
• B. Normal saline
• C. 5% dextrose in water
• D. Hartmann's solution

Answer: (B)

When preparing to transfuse packed red blood cells, the tubing should be primed with a solution that won’t interact with the blood product or cause damage to the cells. Normal saline is 0.9% NaCl and is isotonic to blood, so it maintains the cells’ integrity without introducing calcium or glucose. Stored red blood cells are maintained with an anticoagulant that can be disrupted by solutions containing calcium, and calcium-containing fluids can promote clotting or interfere with the blood product. Dextrose-containing solutions are hypotonic and can cause red blood cells to swell or hemolyze. Therefore, normal saline is the safest and most compatible choice for priming the tubing.

When preparing to transfuse packed red blood cells, the tubing should be primed with a solution that won’t interact with the blood product or cause damage to the cells. Normal saline is 0.9% NaCl and is isotonic to blood, so it maintains the cells’ integrity without introducing calcium or glucose. Stored red blood cells are maintained with an anticoagulant that can be disrupted by solutions containing calcium, and calcium-containing fluids can promote clotting or interfere with the blood product. Dextrose-containing solutions are hypotonic and can cause red blood cells to swell or hemolyze. Therefore, normal saline is the safest and most compatible choice for priming the tubing.