During postoperative day 1 after a suprapubic prostatectomy, which assessment is most important for the drainage from the surgical wound?

Color. During a suprapubic prostatectomy, an incision is made in the bladder. Therefore, copious drainage of urine is expected. The most important assessment of the drainage is the color, which will allow the nurse to differentiate between the expected urine and the less expected hemorrhage. The smell, amount, and consistency will be less effective in detecting a complication than the color of the drainage. The smell of the drainage will become more important as more days pass as the patient’s risk for infection will increase. The consistency of drainage may be difficult to discern because of absorption by the dressing.

During postoperative day 1 after a suprapubic prostatectomy, whic...

Category: Reduction of Risk Potential
Difficulty: 8

Topics: Assessment Elimination Hematology/Oncology Sexuality and Reproduction Tissue Integrity

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