ATI Capstone Exam Related

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A nurse is caring for a client who has a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain in place after surgery for an open reduction and internal fixation. The nurse should understand that the JP drain was placed for which of the following purposes?

  • A. To limit the amount of bleeding and clots from the surgical site.
  • B. To eliminate the need for wound irrigations.
  • C. To prevent drainage from accumulating in the wound.
  • D. To provide a means for medication administration.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale:
The correct answer is C: To prevent drainage from accumulating in the wound. A Jackson-Pratt drain is used to remove excess fluids (such as blood or serous fluid) from a surgical site to prevent accumulation, which can lead to infection or delayed healing. The drain creates negative pressure, allowing drainage to be collected in a bulb or reservoir outside the body. This promotes wound healing by preventing the buildup of fluid.

Incorrect choices:
A: To limit bleeding - While a JP drain may indirectly help limit bleeding by removing excess fluid, its primary purpose is to prevent fluid accumulation.
B: To eliminate wound irrigations - JP drains do not eliminate the need for wound irrigations; they are used for drainage removal.
D: Medication administration - JP drains do not provide a means for medication administration; they are specifically for drainage removal.