After a colectomy, a nurse notes new bright-red drainage about 4 cm in diameter on the surgical dressing. What is the priority nursing action?

In the context of postoperative care following a colectomy, bright-red drainage can be indicative of active bleeding. When bright-red blood is observed in the surgical dressing, it raises concern for hemorrhage or complications that may require immediate attention.

Taking the patient's vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate, is crucial because these parameters can provide real-time insight into the patient's hemodynamic status. Changes in vital signs, such as hypotension or tachycardia, can signify significant blood loss and the need for urgent intervention. By assessing the vital signs, the nurse can determine the severity of the situation and guide subsequent actions, like contacting the physician or initiating further evaluation and care.

Monitoring and documentation hold importance, but they do not provide immediate additional information about the patient's condition. Changing the dressing without assessing the patient's vital signs first may not address a potentially serious issue if the underlying problem is hemorrhage. This emphasizes the priority of assessing the patient’s vital status to ensure timely and appropriate interventions can be initiated.