A client's wound is draining thick yellow material. The nurse correctly describes drainage as?

Appeared in: IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance -2021

Explanation

Purulent drainage consists of pus, which is a thick fluid containing white blood cells, bacteria, and dead tissue debris.
Its appearance is typically opaque and can be yellow, green, tan, or brown.
The description in the question, 'thick yellow material,' is a textbook definition of purulent drainage, which is a strong indicator of a wound infection.

Option A: Sanguineous drainage is incorrect because it describes bright red, bloody drainage, indicating active bleeding.
Option B: Serous-sanguineous drainage is incorrect as it is a thin, watery, pale pink to light red fluid. It does not match the 'thick yellow' description.
Option C: Serous drainage is incorrect because it is clear, thin, and watery, like plasma. This is the opposite of the 'thick yellow' drainage described.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Assessment of Wound Drainage to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Accurate identification and documentation of wound exudate are fundamental nursing responsibilities for monitoring wound status and detecting infection early.
The presence of purulent drainage is a critical finding that must be communicated to the healthcare provider promptly, as it often necessitates a change in the treatment plan, such as starting antibiotics or performing a wound culture.
What if? If the drainage was described as 'thin and pale pink,' the correct term would be serosanguineous. This would indicate a normal stage of healing rather than an infection, and the nursing intervention would be to continue routine monitoring and wound care.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key descriptors in the question: 'thick' and 'yellow material'.
Next, recall the definitions of the four types of wound drainage presented in the options.
Match the descriptors from the question to the correct definition. 'Thick' and 'yellow' are classic characteristics of pus.
Select the term that describes pus-like drainage, which is 'Purulent'.
Eliminate the other options by comparing their definitions: Sanguineous (bloody), Serous (clear/watery), and Serosanguineous (pinkish/watery).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Assessment of Wound Drainage
Stem keywords: wound, draining, thick yellow material
Lead-in keywords: correctly describes
Clinical cues: The description 'thick yellow material' is a classic sign of pus, which points directly to a specific type of drainage.

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 6 p. 81-83

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