Final answer:
The correct discharge instruction understanding by a client with a T tube after cholecystectomy is that the tube will remain for 1-2 weeks and they should monitor for diminishing drainage. Instructing to irrigate the tube or administer medications through it without medical directive or milking the tube excessively is not recommended.
Step-by-step explanation:
Discharge Instructions for a Client with a T Tube After Cholecystectomy
The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client going home with a T tube after an open cholecystectomy. Goals for teaching have been met when the client demonstrates understanding of the care and management of the T tube. Among the choices provided, the client exhibits an understanding of the discharge instructions by stating, "This tube will stay in for 1-2 weeks and I should watch for diminishing drainage." The choice implies the client understands that the tube is temporary and that a decrease in drainage over time is expected as part of the normal healing process.
It is critical to emphasize that the client should not irrigate the T tube unless instructed by a healthcare provider, as in option A, because incorrect irrigation could cause injury or introduce infection. Milking the tube frequently, as mentioned in option B, is not routinely advised unless specifically instructed by a surgeon, because handling the tube excessively can cause complications. The use of the T tube for administering stone dissolving medications, option C, is not the typical use and would require specific medical orders. Therefore, the correct answer is option D, which reflects appropriate self-care after discharge with a T tube from a cholecystectomy.