WEEK 8 SURGICAL DRAINS & DRESSINGS

Question 1

What are 5 important points to include in patient teaching about wound care?

Answer 1

1. Lifestyle factors to promote healing
2. Incision care, dressing changes
3. Splinting
4. Activity restrictions
5. Signs of infection, when to call a physician

Question 2

What are important signs of infection to remember?

Answer 2

1. Change/increase in drainage
2. Incision line gaping
3. Odor
4. Elevated WBCs
5. Delayed healing

Question 3

What kind of drain system protrudes out of the wound to draw drainage to the dressing?

Answer 3

Open

Question 4

What kind of drain system uses suction to draw drainage/debris out of the wound bed?

Answer 4

Closed

Question 5

What is important to remember about stripping/milking and flushing drains?

Answer 5

Ensure there is a physician’s order

Question 6

What is important to remember to check about a drain before removal?

Answer 6

Whether it is sutured & how it is sutured

Question 7

What PPE is required for a drain removal?

Answer 7

Mask with face shield

Question 8

During a drain removal, what are key points to remember?

Answer 8

1. Release the suction and then close the plug
2. Clean the site
3. Remove the suture
4. Apply counter pressure
5. Do not continue to pull against resistance

Question 9

How are open/Penrose drains usually shortened?

Answer 9

1-2” each day, reattached with a safety pin, trim the end of the drain

Question 10

What are 6 things to be documented after a drain removal?

Answer 10

1. Wound/drainage assessment
2. Drain removed intact
3. Drainage post removal
4. Dressing applied
5. Client tolerance
6. Client teaching