In cases of severe intrabdominal bleeding, which blood product does the nurse expect to be prescribed?

In cases of severe intrabdominal bleeding, the primary concern is often to quickly restore blood volume and improve oxygen-carrying capacity in the patient. Packed red blood cells (PRBCs) are specifically designed for this purpose, as they contain a high concentration of red blood cells, which are essential for transporting oxygen throughout the body. The transfusion of PRBCs can help stabilize a patient who has lost significant blood volume due to hemorrhage.

While other blood products have important roles in managing various clinical scenarios, they serve different purposes. For instance, platelets are important for addressing issues related to clotting and are typically used in thrombocytopenic patients. Granulocytes, which contain a type of white blood cell that can help fight infections, would not directly aid in restoring blood volume or oxygenation in the context of severe bleeding. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) contains clotting factors and can assist in coagulation, but it would not address the immediate need for red blood cell replacement in the case of acute blood loss. Therefore, in the context of severe intrabdominal bleeding, the expectation is to use PRBCs to effectively manage the critical need for red blood cells.