Question

The nurse is recording the output from a Hemovac drain of a patient one-day postoperative following infratentorial craniotomy. For the past eight hours, the total amount of drainage is 45 mL. What action should the nurse take?

a) Document the findings as normal drainage
b) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
c) Increase the frequency of drain assessment
d) Clamp the drain temporarily to assess for changes

Answer 1

The nurse should document the 45 mL drainage from the Hemovac drain as normal postoperative output, but continue regular monitoring. If any concerns arise or if there are significant changes in the drainage, the nurse should notify the healthcare provider.

Step-by-step explanation:

When monitoring the output from a Hemovac drain in a patient one-day postoperative following an infratentorial craniotomy, a total drainage of 45 mL over the past eight hours would generally be considered a normal postoperative finding. The most appropriate action for the nurse would be to document the findings as normal drainage, as this is within the expected range for postoperative fluids. Hemovac drains are used to remove fluids that collect in or around the surgical area after the procedure, and the amount of drainage can vary based on the surgery and the patient.

However, it's important to continue monitoring and recording the drainage, as any significant changes in volume, color, or consistency could indicate a complication. In that case, or if the nurse has any concerns about the patient's status or the drain function, the healthcare provider should be notified. The decision to notify the healthcare provider should be based on the broader clinical context and specific instructions regarding postoperative care for the patient.