Which intervention is necessary for a patient experiencing a febrile, nonhemolytic reaction?

A febrile, nonhemolytic reaction is a common response, often occurring after blood transfusions due to the recipient's immune response to leukocytes in the transfused blood. This reaction is typically characterized by fever, chills, and discomfort, but it does not involve hemolysis of red blood cells, making it relatively mild compared to other types of transfusion reactions.

Administering diphenhydramine and acetaminophen addresses the symptoms associated with this reaction. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that can help alleviate discomfort and reduce fever, while acetaminophen is an antipyretic that effectively lowers elevated body temperature. This combination of medications helps manage the acute symptoms the patient is experiencing, ensuring their comfort and safety as they recover from the reaction.

In contrast, applying ice packs primarily targets localized inflammation or swelling, which is not the main issue with febrile, nonhemolytic reactions. Switching the blood product would be unnecessary in this case since the reaction does not suggest incompatibility or blood type issues; the current blood product had no hemolytic effects. Notifying the physician is certainly important in a clinical setting, but immediate intervention through supportive care with medications is the priority for symptom relief in this