Wound drainage types are categorized into which four categories?

• A. Bloody, watery, thick, and thin
• B. Serous, sanguineous, serosanguinous, and purulent
• C. Odorless, malodorous, foul, and neutral
• D. Clear, green, blue, and yellow

Answer: (B)

Assessing wound drainage centers on the four main exudate types that describe the fluid coming from a healing wound: serous, sanguineous, serosanguinous, and purulent. Serous drainage is clear or pale yellow and watery, often seen in normal healing as small amounts of fluid_serum_ seep from capillaries. Sanguineous drainage is red or deep red, containing a high number of red blood cells, which can indicate active bleeding or fragile capillaries in a fresh wound. Serosanguinous drainage blends the two—a pinkish or light red fluid that’s partly serum and partly blood—commonly seen as wounds transition through healing. Purulent drainage is thick and opaque, often yellow, green, or brown, and signifies pus with white blood cells and bacteria, typically reflecting infection or contamination.

These categories help guide assessment and management: serous indicates normal healing, serosanguinous is common in the healing process, purulent signals potential infection requiring further evaluation, and sanguineous warrants monitoring for ongoing bleeding.