A nurse is caring for an adult client who has chronic anemia and is scheduled to receive a transfusion of 1 unit of packed RBCs. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A) Check the client’s vital signs from the previous shift prior to the initiation of the transfusion: Checking the client’s vital signs from the previous shift is not sufficient. The nurse should obtain a set of baseline vital signs immediately before starting the transfusion to monitor for any changes or reactions during the procedure. B) Administer the blood via a 21-gauge IV needle: A 21-gauge IV needle is too small for administering packed RBCs. A larger gauge needle, such as an 18- or 20-gauge, is recommended to ensure the blood flows smoothly and to reduce the risk of hemolysis. C) Set the IV infusion pump to administer the blood over 6 hr: Administering the blood over 6 hours is not appropriate. Packed RBCs should be transfused within 4 hours to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination and ensure the blood remains viable. D) Flush the blood administration tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride prior to the transfusion: Flushing the blood administration tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride is the correct action. This helps to clear the line of any residual substances and ensures that the blood product is delivered effectively and safely to the client.