What action should a nurse take when preparing to administer blood to a client?

The action of verifying the provider's prescription with another RN is critical in ensuring patient safety when preparing to administer blood. This step is an essential part of the process because it helps confirm that the correct blood product is being given to the right patient and that it matches the specific orders from the healthcare provider. Double-checking with another registered nurse enhances accuracy and reduces the risk of errors, such as administering the wrong type of blood, which can lead to serious complications.

While confirming room numbers, scanning patient identification bands, and asking for blood type are also important safety measures in the blood administration process, they do not hold the same level of precedence as validating the provider's prescription. These actions, while crucial for confirming patient identity and ensuring the correct procedure, support the verification of the actual medical order, making that step the primary focus when initiating blood transfusions.