Regarding blood component therapy, which statement is true?

The statement about whole blood and packed red blood cells (RBCs) needing to be infused for a maximum of four hours is accurate. This time frame is critical to ensure patient safety and maintain the integrity of the blood components. After four hours, there is an increased risk of bacterial growth in the blood products, which can be hazardous to the patient.

This is why adherence to the four-hour infusion limit is essential in clinical practice. Blood components are carefully monitored during transfusions to minimize potential transfusion reactions and ensure the effectiveness of the therapy. By keeping the transfusion within this time frame, healthcare providers help mitigate these risks and adhere to established transfusion protocols.

Whole blood is not transfused indefinitely, nor should packed RBCs be kept beyond the recommended infusion duration. Platelets, on the other hand, have different stability and transfusion guidelines, with a shorter window for safe infusion compared to packed cells and whole blood.