Wht is postop nursing wound and drain management in mastectomy patient?

1. Teach the pt how to work the drain (such as empty it, secure it
to the chest wall or safety pin it to the shirt.
2. Give the pt a log sheet to document the amount of drainage
3. Teach the pt the signs and symptoms of an infected drain...
re: redness, heat, swelling, or drainage which is green or
yellow in color and when to call the MD
4 Teach the pt how to dress the drain usually with a drain drsg
5. Give them instructions on when to return to the office or the
clinic to have the drain removed.
6. Have them demonstrate care of the drain and ask any
questions they may have
7. Give them a pamplet called Reach to Recovery with a toll free
number for support groups to help them with their recovery.
Its all pretty basic. Some women have problems looking at their newly surgically removed breast and need as much emotional support and encouragement as they can get. I believe the very 1st step in emotional healing is to view the surgical site and grieving their loss in their own way. Some women are ok with it, some are hestitant at 1st and thats ok too. Support comes in really handy at this time.
Always leave them a phone number to call for questions or concerns when they are discharged. I have found the surgeons are very emotionally supportive of these patients and will do whatever they can to help. They understand.

Do your own homework and research, will learn more that way.

sorry, most nurses would not touch this (I am a nurse). Attempting to answer this with no information, such as what type of drain, how much was removed, how bad the cancer was....you see the problem? Your best bet is to go back to the hospital and get more teaching, since if you are asking this they obviously did not do their job at the hospital. Before you are discharged, you are supposed to know fully what you are to do to take care of yourself.

Why is this such a strange question? Seems pretty basic to me. the person has a wound which you must monitor for redness and drainage at the incision. usually dry gauze and a support bra that should be provided by the hospital. there will be at least one drain that should be emptied twice a day wiht the drainage amount measured and observed for changes in color and quantity. the drains are removed after the drainage amount has decreased to your MD's satisfaction. Patients go home with these. Dont lift anything more than five pounds for at least 6 weeks, and do arm exercises to prevent swelling in the arm caused by removal of lymph nodes.