Which vital sign changes would likely indicate a severe transfusion reaction?

In a severe transfusion reaction, the body responds to the foreign blood products, leading to characteristic changes in vital signs. An increase in blood pressure and fever are both commonly observed during such reactions.

Increasing blood pressure can be attributed to the body’s physiological response to a potential shock from an adverse reaction. Fever, which involves a rise in body temperature, often arises as part of the immune response to the transfused blood products. When the immune system detects a mismatch or unwanted substances, it triggers an inflammatory response, leading to an increase in temperature.

The other choices include situations that would not typically indicate a severe transfusion reaction. For example, decreased blood pressure combined with decreased temperature suggests a different set of responses, possibly indicating shock or other physiological issues rather than a transfusion reaction. Likewise, stable blood pressure and normal heart rate suggest that the body is responding appropriately without stress from a reaction. The combination of increased blood pressure and fever serves as an important alert that a serious transfusion reaction may be occurring, necessitating immediate medical intervention.