The nurse in the emergency department admits a patient with a gunshot wound to the lower abdomen accompanied by heavy bleeding.What type of drainage does the nurse expect to see on the dressing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sanguinous drainage contains blood,which would be expected from a wound with active bleeding.Serous drainage is clear,faintly yellow drainage.Serous drainage occurs when there is inflammation,such as with a burn injury.Purosanginous fluid contains pus,which occurs with infection.This patient has a wound from an acute injury.Although infection risk is high with gunshot wounds,infection generally takes 2 or more days to occur.Purulent drainage indicates infection.This wound is too recent to demonstrate infection.

The Nurse in the Emergency Department Admits a Patient with a Gunshot