A 63-Year-Old Man with Peptic Ulcer Disease Comes to the Emergency

A 63-year-old man with peptic ulcer disease comes to the emergency department after several bouts of melena followed by large hematemesis.  He reports nausea and feels faint.  Temperature is 34.5 C (94.1 F) , blood pressure is 90/46 mm Hg, pulse is 126/min, and respirations are 28/min.  Physical examination reveals a lethargic man with cold extremities and sluggish capillary refill.  Type O, Rh-D negative red blood cells are given as rapidly as possible via intravenous access.  However, the blood transfusion rate is unacceptably slow, and the patient remains hypotensive.  Which of the following will lead to the greatest improvement in flow rate?

A) Doubling the diameter of the intravenous catheter
B) Doubling the length of the intravenous catheter
C) Doubling the pressure of the infusion pump
D) Placing a second intravenous catheter with identical diameter and length

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