a relative is in end of life care for terminal cancer in the hospital and received a blood transfusion today. I was just wondering why?

Question

I couldn’t really get an understandable answer from the nurse. Why would you need a blood transfusion, what would it do when the patient is likely to die in the next few days? Thanks.

In: Biology

Answer 1

Symptomatic relief, if he’s breathless because his haemoglobin is only 20, giving him blood will make him FEEL better. End of life care is all about managing symptoms and not prolonging life.