During transfusion administration for patients older than five, what is the first step?

• A. Place flat Thermometer on patient's forehead
• B. Whole Blood 1 unit IV/IO via blood Y-tubing
• C. Adult: 1-2 Units of Whole Blood (Repeat as needed)
• D. In the event Whole Blood is not available, Low Titer Liquid Plasma or O+ PRBC may be given as a substitute for hemodynamic instability

Answer: (A)

Establishing baseline vital signs before starting a transfusion is essential. Using a flat forehead thermometer to quickly obtain the patient’s baseline temperature provides a noninvasive, rapid snapshot of their current status. Knowing the baseline helps you detect fever or fever-related risk early and distinguishes preexisting fever from a transfusion reaction as the infusion proceeds. Jumping straight into transfusion without a baseline can mask early warning signs and complicate monitoring. The other options describe actions that would follow after confirming the need and safety of transfusion (giving whole blood, specific units, or substitutes if necessary), but the first step is simply assessing the patient’s starting condition.