Transfusion: acute hemolytic reaction: practice question

A Anaesthesia question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anaesthesia · Transfusion: acute hemolytic reaction

Sample item

Minutes after starting a blood transfusion under anesthesia, a patient develops hypotension, fever, hemoglobinuria, and diffuse bleeding. What is the first action regarding the transfusion?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Stop the transfusion immediately and keep the line open with compatible fluid

An acute hemolytic transfusion reaction is a medical emergency. The transfusion must be stopped immediately, the patient supported, identity checks and blood-bank notification initiated, and the blood product retained for investigation according to protocol.

Option by option

  • A. Give a routine antiemetic and continue

    An antiemetic does not address a potentially fatal hemolytic reaction.

  • B. Increase the transfusion rate

    Increasing the rate can worsen exposure and instability.

  • C. Discard the blood bag before investigation

    The bag and tubing may be needed for investigation and should not be discarded.

  • D. Stop the transfusion immediately and keep the line open with compatible fluid (correct)

    Correct. Stopping the suspected product is the immediate safety action.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is D, Stop the transfusion immediately and keep the line open with compatible fluid. An acute hemolytic transfusion reaction is a medical emergency.

Why is "Give a routine antiemetic and continue" not the answer?

An antiemetic does not address a potentially fatal hemolytic reaction.

Why is "Increase the transfusion rate" not the answer?

Increasing the rate can worsen exposure and instability.

Why is "Discard the blood bag before investigation" not the answer?

The bag and tubing may be needed for investigation and should not be discarded.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Transfusion: acute hemolytic reaction in Anaesthesia. The transfusion must be stopped immediately, the patient supported, identity checks and blood-bank notification initiated, and the blood product retained for investigation according to protocol.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Transfusion: acute hemolytic reaction?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.