What is the priority nursing intervention when preparing to administer intravenous albumin post-surgery?

When preparing to administer intravenous albumin post-surgery, the priority nursing intervention involves ensuring the safe administration of the medication. This is why comparing the client's blood type with the label on the albumin is crucial. Although albumin is not a blood product like red blood cells, it is derived from human plasma, and there is generally a potential for allergic reactions or other complications. To mitigate risks, confirming that the albumin matches the patient's needs, as per established protocols, is a critical step in preventing adverse events.

Monitoring the patient's blood pressure, assigning tasks to a UAP, and ensuring appropriate catheter size are important considerations as well, but they do not take precedence over the verification of the medication being administered. Properly identifying the albumin and ensuring it matches the patient’s records directly addresses patient safety, which aligns with the fundamental nursing responsibility of preventing medication errors and ensuring therapeutic effectiveness during post-operative care.