What measures should be taken to prevent acute hemolytic reactions?

The correct choice emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying the patient and the blood product before administering a transfusion. Accurate identification is crucial in preventing acute hemolytic reactions, which can occur when a recipient is given blood that is incompatible with their own blood type. This incompatibility triggers the immune response against the transfused red blood cells, leading to hemolysis and a range of serious clinical consequences.

To ensure correct identification, healthcare providers must follow protocols that typically include checking the patient's identification against the blood product label, confirming the blood type compatibility, and conducting proper cross-matching procedures. This multi-step verification process significantly reduces the risk of administering the wrong blood product, thereby preventing acute hemolytic reactions.

Other options may not address the root causes of such reactions effectively. Using larger gauge needles could impact the rate or ease of transfusion but does not influence the compatibility of the blood. Monitoring vital signs only after the transfusion starts is inadequate for early detection of potential reactions; timely monitoring should begin before and during the transfusion. Finally, starting a transfusion at a fast rate can lead to various complications, including increased risk of adverse reactions, which makes the practice counterproductive.