A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery. While the nurse is witnessing the client's signature, the client states, "I trust my doctor, but I don't understand what is meant by resecting my intestines."

Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

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)

In general, parental (or legal guardian) consent is required for any diagnostic or surgical procedure performed on a child under the age of 181.
Choice A is wrong because the mother’s 21-year-old sibling is not a parent or legal guardian of the infant.
Choice B is wrong because the infant’s provider cannot sign the consent form on behalf of the infant.
Choice C is wrong because the infant’s grandparent cannot sign the consent form unless they are a legal guardian of the infant.