Question

The nurse assists in the care provided by the LPN/LVN for client who had a mastectomy. The client has a wound drainage evacuator in place. Which observation concerns the nurse?

1. The LPN/LVN secures the drainage evacuator to the client's gown without applying tension on the drainage tubing.
2. The LPN/LVN fully compresses the drainage evacuator with one hand, while replacing the spout plug with the other hand.
3. The LPN/LVN uses an alcohol wipe to clean the drainage evacuator's spout and plug prior to reestablishing the vacuum.
4. The LPN/LVN releases manual pressure on the drainage evacuator after the plug is in place, and the unit rapidly inflates.

Answer 1

The nurse would be concerned if the LPN/LVN fully compresses the drainage evacuator while replacing the spout plug.

Step-by-step explanation:

The observation that concerns the nurse in this scenario is option 2: The LPN/LVN fully compresses the drainage evacuator with one hand, while replacing the spout plug with the other hand. This action could potentially cause the drainage evacuator to malfunction and not effectively remove the wound drainage.

The nurse should ensure that the drainage evacuator is not fully compressed during the spout plug replacement. This way, the unit maintains the necessary negative pressure to properly remove the wound drainage. The nurse should communicate this concern to the LPN/LVN and provide guidance on how to correctly handle the drainage evacuator.