When a patient receiving a blood transfusion experiences a sudden increase in body temperature, what is your first response?

When a patient receiving a blood transfusion develops a sudden increase in body temperature, the immediate and appropriate response is to stop the transfusion. This is crucial because an elevated temperature can be an early sign of a transfusion reaction, which can range from mild to severe and pose significant risks to the patient's health. Stopping the transfusion helps to prevent further exposure to the potential causative agents in the blood product and helps to ensure patient safety while assessing the situation.

Taking this step allows for the quick implementation of necessary interventions such as notifying the physician and monitoring vital signs, without further complicating the reaction with additional blood product. Hence, stopping the transfusion is prioritized in this scenario to mitigate any risks associated with transfusion reactions.