The color of purulent discharge is:

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO-2016

Explanation

Purulent discharge, commonly known as pus, is a sign of infection.
It is characteristically thick and its color can be yellow, green, tan, or brown.
This appearance is caused by the presence of white blood cells (leukocytes), dead bacteria, and cellular debris as the body combats infection.
A change in wound drainage to purulent is a significant finding that requires reporting and potential intervention.

Option B: Pinkish white drainage is not purulent. This color describes serosanguineous drainage, which is a mixture of clear serous fluid and a small amount of blood.
Option C: Red drainage is not purulent. This color describes sanguineous drainage, which consists of fresh blood.
Option D: Watery drainage is not purulent. This consistency, especially when clear, describes serous drainage.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Characteristics of different types of wound drainage (exudate) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must accurately assess and document the type, amount, color, and odor of wound drainage to monitor for signs of infection or other complications like hemorrhage.
A change in drainage from serous or serosanguineous to purulent is a critical finding that must be reported to the healthcare provider for timely intervention, such as wound culture and antibiotic therapy.
What if? If a post-operative wound that was draining serosanguineous fluid suddenly starts draining large amounts of bright red (sanguineous) fluid, the priority shifts from infection monitoring to assessing for active hemorrhage, a medical emergency.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'purulent discharge'.
Recall the definition of 'purulent'. The root 'pur-' relates to pus.
Associate pus with its common visual characteristics, which include a thick consistency and colors like yellow or green, indicating infection.
Evaluate the options: 'Yellow' directly matches a primary color of purulent exudate.
Recognize that the other options describe different types of non-purulent drainage: 'Pinkish white' (serosanguineous), 'Red' (sanguineous), and 'Watery' (serous).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pathology-Vandana Puri & Kavita Gaur Textbook of Pathology and Genetics p. 432-434

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

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 1 p. 47-49

Practise the full AIIMS Delhi NO-2016

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.