What is the best indicator that a PRBC transfusion worked?

• A. Decrease in heart rate
• B. Increased Hgb/Hct with improved symptoms
• C. Stability of urine output
• D. No fever developed

Answer: (B)

Raising the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity is the goal of a PRBC transfusion. The best sign it worked is a rise in hemoglobin and hematocrit after the transfusion, accompanied by improvement in anemia-related symptoms such as less tachycardia, less shortness of breath, and greater energy or exercise tolerance. In a typical adult, a unit of packed red blood cells often increases hemoglobin by about 1 g/dL and hematocrit by roughly 3 percentage points, assuming there isn’t ongoing blood loss. Other signs like heart rate changes, urine output, or fever are influenced by many factors and don’t specifically confirm that the transfusion successfully improved oxygen delivery.