What is the recommended amount of Calcium to be administered after the first unit of blood is given?

The recommended amount of calcium to be administered after the first unit of blood is 1 gram IV/IO. This practice aligns with the need to counteract potential hypocalcemia that can occur as a result of citrate toxicity when multiple blood products are transfused, particularly for patients who receive large volumes of blood. The citrate used in blood products acts as an anticoagulant, binding calcium in the bloodstream and may lead to a decrease in calcium levels.

Administering 1 gram of calcium helps to restore the calcium concentration to a safer level, thereby preventing complications associated with low calcium levels, such as cardiac dysrhythmias or muscle spasms. Calcium supplementation is part of the protocol in managing transfusion reactions and ensuring patient safety during volume resuscitation.

While other choices contain calcium in various forms, the specific recommendation of 1 gram IV/IO is well-supported by clinical guidelines and reflects standard practice in the context of blood transfusions.