When noticing purulent drainage from an abdominal wound, what action should the nurse take first?

Noticing purulent drainage from an abdominal wound is a potential sign of infection, which requires prompt attention. The first action a nurse should take in this situation is to notify the healthcare provider. This is crucial as the healthcare provider needs to be aware of any signs of possible infection to assess the situation further and potentially initiate treatment. Additionally, timely intervention can prevent complications, such as sepsis, especially in a postoperative patient.

While checking vital signs is important to assess the patient's overall condition, and changing the dressing may be needed to manage the wound, those actions should occur after informing the healthcare provider. Documentation of the findings is essential for maintaining an accurate medical record; however, it does not take precedence over notifying the healthcare provider in the context of a potential infection. Therefore, immediate communication with the healthcare provider is the priority in managing the patient's care effectively.