how to determine blood loss by weighing sponges

[nsgmjr]

I am a nursing student who is writing a scenario for HS students which deals with math problems. The only thing i can think of right now from my one visit to the OR is the weighing of the surgical sponges in the OR to determine blood loss. Can anyone tell me how this is done. Is there a formula? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[babynurselsa, RN]

weight of dry sponge minus weight of bloody sponge.

[AmyBRN]

Weight of a dry sponge - weight of the wet sponge. the difference in grams is the amount lost in ml's.

Example:

Dry sponge - 5 grams

sponge with blood -15 grams

the difference is 10 grams which equals 10 ml's of blood/ or whatever.

We also do this for children's diapers to make sure they are making enough urine.

[nsgmjr]

Thank you so much. I am writing scenarios which involve math problems for ninth and tenth graders to show them how math is used in the medical fields. This is a campaign to interest H.S. students to join the team.

[richardsrl]

Another quick way is to just remember this: a typical 18in x 18in lap sponge holds 100mls of fluid soaking wet. A raytec holds 10mls. Blood loss is only an estimation (EBL = estimated blood loss) by anesthesia. Certainly some specialties may require a more accurate EBL, but for what I do (OB/GYN surgery), an estimation is all that is needed.

Hope this helps!

[danissa, LPN, LVN]

We also do this for children's diapers to make sure they are making enough urine.

We do this too, in the abscence of more reliable methods, its all we can use..(eg, not sticking a uribag to a preemies skin)

The weighing of sponges....This is also the method which I've always known blood loss to be estimated by.