Question

The nurse is caring for an abdominal surgical client who has a Jackson-Pratt drain in place. Which interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care for this drain? Select all that apply.

a) Empty the drain when it's half full
b) Measure and record drainage output
c) Compress the drain to facilitate suction
d) Keep the drain below the level of the incision site

Answer 1

In caring for a client with a Jackson-Pratt drain, the nurse should empty the drain when half full, measure and record output, compress the drain for suction, and keep it below incision level.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse caring for a client with a Jackson-Pratt drain should include several interventions in the plan of care. Firstly, the nurse should empty the drain when it is approximately half full, as allowing it to fill completely could compromise the suction and effectiveness of the drainage. Secondly, it is crucial to measure and record the drainage output, as this information helps monitor the patient's recovery and could indicate potential issues. Another important intervention is to compress the drain to maintain continuous suction after emptying; this process involves squeezing the bulb to evacuate air before closing the system, which re-establishes the negative pressure needed for effective drainage. Lastly, it is important to keep the drain below the level of the incision to ensure gravity aids in the drainage process and to prevent backflow that could lead to infection or other complications.