A patient undergoes Bakri balloon tamponade for PPH after vaginal delivery. After 24 hours, the balloon is deflated. The nurse reports 400 mL collected in the balloon drain over 24 hours during tamponade. This represents:

• A Success of tamponade since <500 mL/hr in first hour indicates control
• B Failure criterion requiring immediate surgical intervention
• C Normal amount confirming uterine involution and lochia drainage
• D Tamponade test positive if no further bleeding on deflation, indicating successful hemostasis ✓

Explanation

The 'tamponade test' is positive (i.e., successful) when the balloon stemmed the hemorrhage — confirmed by observing no active bleeding after stepwise deflation. The 400 mL collected over 24 hours via the drainage port indicates some ongoing ooze monitored through the drain, but the key criterion for success is that removal of the balloon does not result in renewed significant hemorrhage. A negative tamponade test (failure) is defined as continued active bleeding >500 mL/hour or hemodynamic instability despite tamponade, requiring surgical intervention (B-Lynch suture, ligation, or hysterectomy).

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.