The nurse observes thin,watery fluid draining from the left ear of a patient who has sustained a head injury.How would the nurse document this drainage in the patient's chart?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Thin, watery fluid draining from the ear is likely serous fluid, which is a clear, pale yellow liquid that typically indicates a mild injury or inflammation. Purulent drainage would be thick, opaque, pus-like fluid, which does not fit the description given. Cerebrospinal fluid would be a clear, colorless fluid that is normally found in the brain and spinal cord, and is unlikely to drain from the ear unless there is a serious injury. Serosanguineous fluid would be a thin, watery and pinkish fluid that contains a mix of blood and other fluids, which is similar to the described drainage but does not emphasize the clear, pale yellow color of the fluid.

The Nurse Observes Thin,watery Fluid Draining from the Left Ear