A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postoperative following bowel resection and reports sudden, severe abdominal pain.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Leaving the drain until the end of the shift is not appropriate because it could lead to complications such as:

• Hematoma formation:Blood accumulation in the tissues surrounding the drain can put pressure on surrounding structures,potentially impairing blood flow and causing tissue damage.
• Infection:A reservoir containing blood provides a favorable environment for bacterial growth,increasing the risk of infection.
• Drain occlusion:Clotted blood can block the drain,preventing effective drainage and leading to fluid buildup and potential infection.
• Decreased wound healing:Excessive blood loss can delay wound healing by depriving the tissues of necessary oxygen and nutrients.

Removing the drain without the surgeon's order is not appropriate because:

• Premature removal:It could disrupt the healing process and lead to complications such as fluid collection or infection.
• Assessment limitation:Removing the drain would eliminate the ability to monitor ongoing blood loss and could mask potential complications.

A Jackson-Pratt drain works by creating suction when the bulb is squeezed and emptied¹. The bulb should be emptied before it is more than half full to avoid the discomfort of the weight of the drain pulling on the internal tubing and to maintain the suction

Notifying the surgeon about the blood loss is wrong because it is not an urgent situation unless there are signs of excessive bleeding, such as bright red blood, clots, or a sudden increase in the amount of drainage²³. The surgeon should be notified if the drainage is more than 100 ml in 24 hours or if the color changes from serosanguineous (pink) to sanguineous (red)

A nurse should apply a bath blanket between the client and a cooling blanket when caring for a client who has a high fever.
This can help regulate the temperature of the environment and make it more comfortable for the patient.
Choice B is wrong because placing ice packs on the client’s neck and behind the knees is not recommended as it can cause further problems.
Choice C is wrong because giving the client a sponge bath using an alcohol-water solution is not recommended.
Choice D is wrong because covering the client with heavy blankets after the shivering subsides is not recommended as it can increase body temperature.