RN Exam Practice
Pharmacological and Parenteral TherapiesQuestion 1870 of 2368

A nurse is asked about warming a unit of blood. Which statement is correct?

  1. A blood warmer may be used in trauma or surgery when it is prescribed
  2. Hot water can be used to warm any unit before it is infused to the client
  3. A microwave can be used to warm the unit if it is heated only briefly
  4. The unit should be shaken vigorously to mix it well before warming it
Show answer

Correct answer: A blood warmer may be used in trauma or surgery when it is prescribed

Heating blood in a microwave or hot water, or shaking it vigorously, destroys the cells. Warming is done only with a blood warmer under prescribed conditions.

Source: Nursing Advanced Skills (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Administer Blood Products: Initiating Blood Product Therapy. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026