During a routine assessment on the maternal-newborn unit, the registered nurse monitors a … — NCLEX-RN

During a routine assessment on the maternal-newborn unit, the registered nurse monitors a client who experienced an uncomplicated spontaneous vaginal birth earlier in the shift. To accurately evaluate for hemorrhage, the nurse implements quantitative blood loss (QBL) measurement protocols. The nurse collects the used chux pads and peripads and places them on a scale. The scale displays a total weight of $1,240\text{ g}$ . The standard dry weight of these identical items is $315\text{ g}$ .

Calculate the client's quantified blood loss in milliliters ( $\text{mL}$ ).

Answer: 925 mL

Answer

925

Quantitative blood loss (QBL) provides an objective and accurate measurement of maternal bleeding compared to visual estimation. The process requires finding the net weight of the blood by subtracting the known dry weight of the collected items (

315\text{ g}

) from the total weight of the blood-soaked items (

1,240\text{ g}

), which results in

925\text{ g}

. Because

1\text{ gram}

of blood weight is clinically equivalent to

1\text{ milliliter}

of blood volume,

925\text{ g}

translates directly to

925\text{ mL}

of blood loss.

Step-by-Step Solution

Determine the net weight of the blood by subtracting the dry weight of the materials from the total weighed amount.

1,240\text{ g} - 315\text{ g} = 925\text{ g}

Subtracting the dry weight ensures that only the fluid volume is being calculated for blood loss.

Convert the net weight in grams to a volume measurement in milliliters.

925\text{ g} = 925\text{ mL}

In obstetrical clinical practice, the standard conversion for quantifying blood loss is

1\text{ gram}

of weight equals exactly

1\text{ milliliter}

of volume.

Key Concept

Quantitative Blood Loss (QBL) Measurement and Calculation

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