A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. The nurse notes that the client has thick secretions and needs to thin them. What intervention will help thin the secretions?

Choice A reason: A Jackson-Pratt drain removes serous fluid and blood from the surgical site, preventing seromas, hematomas, or infections. By maintaining a closed suction system, it promotes wound healing and reduces complications, making this the primary purpose of the JP drain in postoperative care.

Choice B reason: While a JP drain may remove small amounts of blood, its primary purpose is preventing fluid accumulation, not limiting bleeding. Bleeding control is managed intraoperatively or with other measures, making this a secondary, less accurate purpose of the drain compared to fluid prevention.

Choice C reason: A JP drain is not used for medication administration. It is a closed suction system designed to remove fluid from the surgical site to prevent complications. Medications are given via other routes (e.g., IV), making this an incorrect description of the drain’s purpose.

Choice D reason: A JP drain does not eliminate the need for wound irrigations, which clean wounds directly. The drain prevents fluid buildup in closed surgical sites, reducing infection risk, but it does not replace irrigation, which addresses different wound care needs, making this choice incorrect.

Choice A reason: Vigorous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak, suggesting a connection between the pleural space and atmosphere, possibly from a dislodged tube or lung tear. This worsens pneumothorax, requiring immediate intervention to locate and correct the leak, restoring pleural integrity and preventing respiratory compromise.

Choice B reason: Serosanguineous drainage less than 70 mL/hr is normal for a chest tube, indicating expected postoperative or pleural fluid drainage. It does not suggest complications like excessive bleeding or infection, so no immediate intervention is required, making this finding benign compared to an air leak.

Choice C reason: Mild chest discomfort during coughing or deep breathing is expected with a chest tube, as it irritates the pleural space. This does not indicate a complication requiring intervention, as it reflects normal tissue response to the tube, manageable with pain relief, not urgent action.

Choice D reason: Small crepitus around the insertion site indicates subcutaneous emphysema, where air escapes into tissues. While concerning, small amounts often resolve spontaneously as the lung heals. It requires monitoring but not immediate intervention, unlike vigorous bubbling, which signals a critical air leak requiring urgent action.