The nurse is preparing to administer platelets. The blood products should be infused over a period of:

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

AIIMS NORCET 7 Prelims Memory Based Paper 2024

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 15–30 minutes

Rationale:

Platelets should be infused over a period of 15–30 minutes because they are typically administered quickly to ensure their efficacy. Platelets are fragile and can be damaged if not transfused rapidly, and quick administration minimizes the risk of clotting and contamination.
Rapid infusion helps achieve the desired therapeutic effect more quickly, which is particularly important in patients who are actively bleeding or have severe thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).

Explanation of Other Options:

1–2 hours

Rationale: Infusing platelets over 1–2 hours is too slow. This prolonged period increases the risk of the platelets becoming less effective and may lead to clotting within the infusion set, reducing the overall effectiveness of the transfusion.

30 minutes to 1 hour

Rationale: While a range of 30 minutes to 1 hour is closer to the correct infusion time, it still allows for the possibility of infusing too slowly. The ideal time is 15–30 minutes to ensure the platelets remain viable and effective.

3–4 hours

Rationale: Infusing platelets over 3–4 hours is significantly too long. This duration greatly increases the risk of platelet degradation and clotting, making the transfusion less effective or even harmful.

Conclusion:

Among the given options, infusing platelets over a period of 15–30 minutes is the best practice. This ensures that the platelets are administered quickly enough to maintain their efficacy and to provide the necessary therapeutic effect in a timely manner.