Complications Associated with the Use of Blood Products

Course overview

Most blood complications occur due to transfusion-related adverse reactions (ARs), with more than 80% being allergic reactions or febrile nonhemolytic reactions (Harris & Crookston, 2023). Blood transfusions are common and extremely safe overall. Blood product safety is an essential aspect of preventing complications from transfusion. However, both administering a blood transfusion or receiving one can be scary. A complication can occur at any moment. In this course, you will first learn the basics of blood types, compatibility, and products. Then, you will take a deeper dive into preventive safety measures during administration, monitoring, and post-transfusion education. You will finish by learning more about the different types of blood product transfusion complications and how to recognize and treat them.