The nurse is caring for a patient who has a wound drain with a collection device. The nurse notices that the collection device has a sudden decrease in drainage. What would be the nurse's next best step?
a. Remove the drain; a drain is no longer needed.
b. Call the physician; a blockage is present in the tubing.
c. Call the charge nurse to look at the drain.
d. As long as the evacuator is compressed, do nothing.
ANS: B
Because a drainage system needs to be patent, look for drainage flow through the tubing, as well as around the tubing. A sudden decrease in drainage through the tubing may indicate a blocked drain, and you will need to notify the physician. The health care provider determines the need for drain removal and removes drains. Notifying the charge nurse, although important for communication, is not the next step in providing care for this patient. The evacuator may be compressed when a blockage is present.
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