HESI PN Exit Exam 2023 Related

Review HESI PN Exit Exam 2023 related questions and content

A client is post-operative day one following an open cholecystectomy. The nurse notices the client's drainage from the T-tube is dark green. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?

  • A. Document the finding as normal.
  • B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
  • C. Decrease the suction on the T-tube.
  • D. Flush the T-tube with saline to ensure patency.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Dark green drainage from a T-tube after a cholecystectomy is bile, which is an expected finding. Bile is normally dark green in color. It is important for the nurse to recognize this as a normal post-operative occurrence and document the finding. There is no need to notify the healthcare provider immediately as this finding is an anticipated part of the client's recovery. Decreasing the suction on the T-tube or flushing it with saline is unnecessary and may not be indicated based on the color of the drainage. Therefore, the most appropriate action for the nurse to take is to document the dark green drainage as a normal finding.