A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale: A. A 24-gauge catheter is too small for blood transfusion. Blood products are thicker than IV fluids and require a larger-bore catheter (typically 18–20 gauge in adults, or at least 22 gauge in some situations) to allow safe infusion and reduce the risk of hemolysis, clotting, and line occlusion. B. Blood transfusion tubing must include an in-line filter (typically 170–260 microns) to remove clots and particulate matter from the blood product before it enters the client’s circulation. Using tubing without a filter increases the risk of transfusion reactions and embolic complications. C. Blood products should be administered using dedicated blood tubing, not a standard single-line IV administration set intended for medications or fluids. Blood tubing is specifically designed with a filter and compatibility for blood products. D. Normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) is the only IV solution compatible with blood products. It is used to prime the tubing before starting the transfusion and may also be used to flush the line. Other fluids (such as dextrose or lactated Ringer’s) can cause hemolysis or clotting when mixed with blood.