How would you calculate the total blood volume of the body, without exsanguination?

Inject a solution of known volume into the blood. Allow this to circulate for an appropriate length of time, e.g. 5-10 mins, then take a blood sample. The dilution of the initial solution can then be calculated by measuring the concentration in the sample.Say 1M of solution is injected, and a 10ml blood sample taken after the wait period with concentration of 2 x 10-3 . Volume = concentration/moles therefore volume = 1/(2 x 10-3) = 5000ml.

CF
Answered by Charlotte F. Medical School Preparation tutor

1616 Views

See similar Medical School Preparation Mentoring tutors

Related Medical School Preparation Mentoring answers

All answers ▸

Who wold you give a liver transplant to out of a 40yo alcoholic mother of two, a 3yo with a congenital liver abnormality, or an elderly gentleman with chronic liver failure?


You're a medical student shadowing a GP, the doctor leaves the room and the diabetic patient the GP is assessing confides in you that he put five teaspoons of sugar in his tea every time, he specifically wants you to not tell the GP. What should you do?


Why choose medicine as a career?


Tell me about [X] work experience


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning