Unit of blood

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Sep 3, 2007

The amount is listed on the bag...

Usually around 350mls.

jnrsmommy · Sep 10, 2007

Yes, they usually do have the volume listed on the bag, but I've had many experiences where the amount was wrong. I've always cleared the volume on the pump before the start of the infusion, so that when it's done, I will know how much went in. Ex. I had a bag one time that said it had 250mL, but the bag was FULL, I thought "No way." Sure enough, wound up infusing 512 mL off that one bag, and I made sure I let the doc know when it was done (was supposed to be the 1st of 3 transfusions). He had us get h/h after that one, and she was good :)

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2007

There is no set amount of fluid in a unit of blood. And while some bags list it, many do not.

Varying services took different amounts of fluid of after collection from the donor. Some units are leucoreduced, further depleting the volume. Most units of packed cells are concentrated and filtered. Occasionally, for patients in CHF, the banks futher concentrate the units before distribution so that there is as little extraneous fluid as possible.

That said, while most units of PRBCs run 325-375 mLs, I have had units with as little as 200mLs and as large 575mLs.

Platelets vary even more. There are pheresis units vs pooled platelets (with from 4-9 units in a bag), washed platelets - the volume can vary between 150mLs for washed platelets to 600mLs for regular. Though most banks stay below the 600 mL - there are compatibility issues that get problematic when you give over 600mL of platelets at a time, if a different type is used.

Cryoprecipitate is usually a small amount - maybe 150mL is the most. I have actually seen it given more in large syringes.

Granulocytes (WBCs) usually runs from 150mLs to 250mL.