ATI Medsurg Proctored Final Exam Related

Review ATI Medsurg Proctored Final Exam related questions and content

A nurse is assessing a client's wound dressing and observes a watery red drainage. The nurse should document this drainage as which of the following?

  • A. Serous
  • B. Sanguineous
  • C. Serosanguineous
  • D. Purulent
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Serosanguineous. This type of drainage is a mixture of clear (serous) and red (sanguineous) fluids, indicating a normal stage of wound healing. The clear fluid suggests minimal inflammation, while the red fluid indicates presence of blood. Serous drainage alone is typically clear and watery without any blood. Sanguineous drainage is bright red and indicates fresh blood. Purulent drainage is thick, opaque, and yellowish-green, suggestive of infection. Therefore, in this scenario, the observation of watery red drainage best fits the description of serosanguineous drainage.