If a unit of blood is infused through a central line, how must it be prepared?

When preparing a unit of blood to be infused through a central line, it is essential to warm the blood prior to administration. This warming process is crucial because it helps to prevent hypothermia in the recipient, especially if the quantity of blood being transfused is significant. Cold blood products can lead to a drop in body temperature, which can compromise the body's ability to function properly.

In a clinical setting, warmed blood is often recommended for patients with conditions like massive hemorrhage or in certain surgical situations where rapid infusion is necessary. Warming the blood helps to maintain hemodynamic stability and ensures that the blood product's components, such as red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, perform optimally when they enter the circulatory system.

Other preparation methods, such as mixing with saline, chilling the blood, or filtering it, may be relevant in different contexts. However, they do not specifically address the need to warm the blood for infusion through a central line, where maintaining a stable body temperature is particularly important for patient safety and recovery.