Fundamentals of Nursing Q 371
Which action by the nurse in charge is essential when cleaning the area around a Jackson-Pratt wound drain?
A. Cleaning from the center outward in a circular motion.
B. Removing the drain before cleaning the skin.
C. Cleaning briskly around the site with alcohol.
D. Wearing sterile gloves and a mask.
Correct Answer: A. Cleaning from the center outward in a circular motion.
The nurse always should clean around a wound drain, moving from center outward in ever-larger circles, because the skin near the drain site is more contaminated than the site itself. A Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain is used to remove fluids that build up in an area of the body after surgery. The JP drain is a bulb-shaped device connected to a tube. One end of the tube is placed inside the client during surgery. The other end comes out through a small cut in the skin. The bulb is connected to this end. The client may have a stitch to hold the tube in place.
Option B: The nurse should never remove the drain before cleaning the skin. The JP drain removes fluids by creating suction in the tube. The bulb is squeezed flat and connected to the tube that sticks out of the body. The bulb expands as it fills with fluid.
Option C: Alcohol should never be used to clean around a drain; it may irritate the skin and has no lasting effect on bacteria because it evaporates. Use soap and water or saline (salt water) solution to clean a JP drain site. Dip a cotton swab or gauze pad in the solution and gently clean the skin.
Option D: The nurse should wear sterile gloves to prevent contamination, but a mask is not necessary. Wash hands with soap and water after discarding the gloves.