What to do for post op bleeding from wound site?

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Sep 27, 2005

Hi I am wondering what should be done if a patient has a moderate amount of bleeding from wound site (cholycysectomy etc)? Do we apply an extra bandage over site to absorb the loss?
regards
Kylie

Generally, you would apply an extra bandage to reinforce the old until hemostasis is achieved.

Most importantly - You need to ask WHY is the patient bleeding from the wound site? This may signal a serious post-op complication and the primary care provider should be notified. Is the wound healing well (well-approximated edges, etc. or is there dehiscence)? Any signs of wound infection or foul smell? You need to monitor the amount and type of drainage (bright red, sanguinous, serosanguinous), and patient's hemodynamic status (BP, pulse, temperature, level of consciousness).

Hope this helps :)

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2005

If the patient had surgery today simply apply a new, sterile ABD pad on top of the one that is getting saturated. In this way the surgeon can see how much drainage there has been since the patient left the OR when he visits him next. If the patient is day 2 post op, just change the dressing and mark the date and time on one of the pieces of tape holding it in place so other nurses can see when it was changed last.

AussieKylie · Sep 28, 2005

Thankyou very much

bluesky, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2005

Generally, you would apply an extra bandage to reinforce the old until hemostasis is achieved.
Most importantly - You need to ask WHY is the patient bleeding from the wound site? This may signal a serious post-op complication and the primary care provider should be notified. Is the wound healing well (well-approximated edges, etc. or is there dehiscence)? Any signs of wound infection or foul smell? You need to monitor the amount and type of drainage (bright red, sanguinous, serosanguinous), and patient's hemodynamic status (BP, pulse, temperature, level of consciousness).
Hope this helps :)

Also H/H and coags, and further interventions based on assessment

findings.