Question

How would you monitor for excessive postoperative blood loss? What interventions are done to prevent excessive blood loss?

Answer 1

Monitoring for Excessive post-operative blood Loss is by-

•Observe amount of drainage on the dressing.
• Monitor Vitals according to orders or the hospital protocol. The protocol might be

-Vitals to be looked at every 15min for 1 hour,

-Then every 30min for 1 hour

-Then hourly for 4 hours,

-Then every 4 hourly.

Now Assess Vitals signs of hemorrhage: look at

-Blood pressure (BP),

-Increased pulse, and

-Increased respiratory rate;

Also,

• Monitor hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) levels.
• Send stools to the laboratory forhemoccult testing on stools X 3 .
• Observe for bleeding from other areas, such as nose and gums, and blood in urine.

Interventions done to prevent Excess blood Loss-

1. Start Tranexemic Acid

2. Stop Anti-platelets Drugs- Clopidogrel,ticagrelor before operating the patient.

3. Stop all Anti-Coagulants- Warfarin,Heparin before operating

4. Aspirin should also Be Stopped be Operating.

5. Avoid NSAIDS( Non-Steroidal anti- Inflammatory drug)

6.Platelets Infusion can Too aid in prevention of excess blood Loss.