Question

A patient's T-tube is draining dark green fluid after gallbladder surgery. What action by the nurse is the most appropriate?

a. Notify the patient's surgeon.
b. Place the patient on bed rest.
c. Document the color and amount of drainage.
d. Irrigate the T-tube with sterile normal saline.

Answer 1

The correct action for a nurse when a patient's T-tube is draining dark green fluid after gallbladder surgery is to document the color and amount of drainage, and notify the surgeon if there are accompanying concerning symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient's T-tube is draining dark green fluid after gallbladder surgery, the most appropriate action by the nurse would be to document the color and amount of drainage. It is typical for a T-tube to drain bile, which can range in color from green to brown. However, if the drainage is excessive, has a foul odor, or the patient experiences other concerning symptoms such as fever or abdominal pain, then the nurse should notify the surgeon. Immediate irrigation of the T-tube without surgeon's order is not standard practice, as it may introduce infection or disrupt the healing process. Bed rest is not directly related to the function of the T-tube.