When should the nurse begin the infusion of packed RBCs once the unit is received from the blood bank?

The correct answer highlights the importance of timely administration of packed red blood cells (RBCs) to ensure patient safety and effectiveness of the transfusion. Once the unit is received from the blood bank, it should be administered as soon as the nurse has adequately prepared the patient and gathered the appropriate administration set. This is critical because there is a limited timeframe for safely transfusing blood products—typically within 30 minutes of receipt from the blood bank to reduce the risk of bacterial growth and maintain blood product integrity.

Delaying the infusion until conditions like meal times or patient readiness could compromise the efficacy and safety of the transfusion. Therefore, proper organization and prioritization for patient care dictates that the nurse should aim to start the infusion promptly while ensuring all necessary preparations are in place.