Question

1. Describe the initial postoperative management of the nephrectomy patient and discuss collaborative management designed to prevent complications?

2. What is the purpose of a bulb-type surgical drain? How does it work?

Discuss the expected drainage amount and characteristics in a surgical drain immediately postoperatively.

3. What are the nurse’s responsibilities to the family?

Answer 1

Ans: 1) Initial postoperative management of the nephrectomy patient and discuss collaborative management designed to prevent complications:-

Nephrectomy patients may experience considerable discomfort in the area of the incision.Patients may also experience immobility, caused by severed nerves, near or on the incision.

Pain relievers are administered following the surgical procedure and during the recovery period on an as-needed basis. Although deep breathing and coughing may be painful due to the presence of the incision to the diaphragm, breathing exercises are encouraged to prevent pneumonia.

Maintain gravity drainage; irrigate only as ordered. Maintaining drainage tube patency is vital to prevent potential hydronephrosis. Bright bleeding or unexpected drainage may indicate a surgical complication. Frequently assess urine color, amount, and character, noting any hematuria, pyuria, or sediment. Promptly report oliguriaor anuria, as well as changes in urine color or clarity. Preserving function of the remaining kidney is critical; frequent assessment allows early intervention for potential problems.

Ans : 2) purpose of a bulb-type surgical drain :

A Jackson-Pratt drain is used to remove fluids that build up in certain parts of the body after a surgery. It is a bulb-shaped device that connects to a tube that is inside of the body. The JP drain removes fluids by creating suction in the tube. The bulb is press flat and connected to the tube that sticks out of your body. The bulb expands as it fills with fluid.

# characteristics in a surgical drain :-

Surgical drains are implants that allow removal of fluid and/or gas from a wound or body cavity.Some drainage contains pus and is yellow, grey, green, pink.

Serous Exudate is normal from a wound in the early stages of healing, typically in the first 48 to 72 hours after the incision is made.

Serosanguinous Drainage -This thin, watery drainage is composed of both blood and serum and may appear slightly pink from the small number of red blood cells that are present.

3) monitoring vital signs, airway patency, and neurologic status; managing pain; assessing the surgical site; assessing and maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance; and providing a thorough report of the patient’s status to the receiving nurse on the unit, as well as the patient’s family.

Teach care of the incision and any remaining drainage tubes, catheters, or stents. This routine postoperative in-struction is vital to prepare the client for self-care and pre-vent complications.

Instruct to report signs and symptoms to the physician,including manifestations of UTI (dysuria, frequency, ur-gency, nocturia, cloudy, malodorous urine) or systemic infection (fever, general malaise, fatigue), redness,swelling, pain, or drainage from the incision or any catheter or drain tube site.