Your patient was just returned from surgery with a Jackson-Pratt drain in place. What is the best nursing action?

The best nursing action for a patient with a Jackson-Pratt drain in place is to compress the drain and then plug the bulb to establish suction. The Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain is designed to promote the removal of excess fluid from the surgical site by utilizing a vacuum created by the bulb when it is compressed. This suction aids in counting the drainage, which is crucial for tracking the patient's progress and monitoring for potential complications, such as hematoma or seroma formation.

Establishing suction by compressing the bulb ensures that the drain functions optimally. This is a critical step in maintaining the effectiveness of the drain, as it allows for continuous drainage of fluid and reduces the risk of fluid accumulation at the surgical site.

The focus after surgery should be on ensuring proper functionality of the drain rather than changing dressings or leaving the drain open to air, as these actions might compromise the effectiveness of the drain in removing fluid and could lead to infection or other complications. Measuring the output and reporting it is essential, but it follows after confirming that the drain is functioning properly. Therefore, compressing the drain and plugging the bulb aligns best with the care protocol for a Jackson-Pratt drain.