After a child has a craniotomy, what is the nurse's immediate action upon noticing serosanguineous drainage on the dressing?

In managing post-operative care for a child who has undergone a craniotomy, one key action involves assessing any drainage from the surgical site. Noticing serosanguineous drainage on the dressing requires careful evaluation. Circling the area with nonabsorbable ink is a valid immediate response, as it allows the healthcare team to monitor whether the drainage is increasing, which could indicate a potential complication, such as a hematoma or infection.

This action provides a clear visual marker on the dressing, helping to track changes in the amount of drainage over time. It is crucial, particularly in a post-surgical context where monitoring for complications is essential for the patient's safety.

The other options, although related to actions one might consider in this situation, either do not address immediate assessment needs or could potentially interfere with ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the patient's condition. For instance, replacing the dressing immediately could obscure the ability to monitor the drainage's progression. Notifying the surgeon promptly may be warranted, but without an initial assessment or monitoring step, the urgency and relevance of that notification may not be clear. Applying pressure to the site might also be appropriate in certain situations, particularly if there is active bleeding, but it would not provide the same level of immediate observation regarding the