Wound drainage types NCLEX review quiz. As a nurse, you’ll want to be familiar with the different types of wound drainage, such as serous, sanguineous, serosanguineous, and purulent. You’ll want to know what is normal, what is abnormal, and actions you may need to take.
Before taking the wound drainage quiz below, you may want to review our wound drainage types article or watch our wound drainage video.
Wound Drainage Types NCLEX Quiz
Wound Drainage Types NCLEX Quiz Review
1. As the nurse, you notice that a patient’s wound drainage is a pale yellow color and watery. What type of wound drainage is it?
A. Purulent
B. Serous
C. Sanguineous
D. Serosanguineous
The answer is B, serous. Serous wound drainage is clear and/or pale yellow in color. It is also thin and watery consistency. It typically has no odor, but if an odor is present, it could indicate an infection. Purulent is a thick, pus-like consistency that can be different colors and is always abnormal. Sanguineous is red, and serosanguineous is light pink.
2. Which finding below would indicate that something is abnormal with a patient’s serous drainage? Select all that apply.
A. There is a large amount of drainage present
B. The drainage is thin and watery
C. The drainage has a foul odor
D. The drainage is odorless
E. The fluid mainly consists of blood plasma low in proteins
The abnormal findings in serous drainage are A and C. There should be a small amount present, not a large amount, and the drainage should normally be odorless. All other findings B, D, and E are normal characteristics of serous drainage and should not have been selected.
3. As the nurse, you notice that a patient’s wound drainage is thick, has a brownish color, and has a strong odor. What type of wound drainage is this?
A. Purulent
B. Serous
C. Serosanguineous
D. Sanguineous
The answer is A, purulent. Purulent drainage is a thick, pus-like drainage that is always abnormal. It can present as different colors such as brownish, yellow, gray, or green. It often has a thick odor. As the nurse, you should report this immediately and culture it to determine the type of bacterial colonizing the wound.
4. What color is sanguineous wound drainage?
A. Brown
B. Light pink
C. Clear or pale yellow
D. Bright red
The answer is D, bright red. Sanguineous wound drainage consists mostly of blood. Therefore, it is a bright red consistency. As the wound heals, it can turn into a darker red color and thicken. Brown would be indicative of purulent, though it can also be yellowish, greenish, or gray. Light pink is serosanguineous, and clear or pale yellow would indicate serous drainage.
5. As the nurse, you observe that a patient’s wound drainage is light pink in color. What would be an abnormal finding with this type of wound drainage?
A. The color begins to darken as the wound heals
B. The drainage is odorless
C. It has a thin consistency
D. It is present in small amounts
The answer that would indicate an abnormal finding is A, the color begins to darken as the wound heals. A light pink drainage would indicate serosanguineous fluid, which is a mixture of serum and blood. This typically lightens as the wound heals, so a darkening of the drainage could indicate a problem. All other findings are a normal characteristic of this type of wound drainage.
6. What color is purulent drainage?
A. Brownish
B. Grayish
C. Greenish
D. Yellowish
E. Any of the above
F. None of the above
The answer is E, any of the above. Purulent drainage can consist of bacteria, dead tissue, fluid, and white blood cells. The exact color can vary, but it can present as a brownish color, grayish color, greenish, or even yellowish color.
7. As the nurse, you are inspecting a patient’s wound and identify sanguineous drainage. What would be a NORMAL finding for this drainage? Select all that apply.
A. It is bright red, watery, and thin
B. It has a foul odor
C. It has a coppery smell
D. It begins to darken and thicken as the would heals
E. The drainage increases over time
The NORMAL findings are A, C, and D. The other options are abnormal, because it should not have a foul odor or increase in drainage amount over time.
8. As the nurse, you observe that a patient’s drainage type is purulent. What action would you need to take with this drainage type?
A. Document that the wound is healing properly
B. Report the finding immediately and culture it
The answer is B, you should report this type of drainage and culture it. This type of drainage is not normal, as it typically indicates infection. A culture can help determine the type of bacteria colonizing it so that the healthcare team can order the appropriate treatment.
9. Which statement below about wound drainage is INCORRECT?
A. Serous drainage is a clear or pale yellow color that consists of blood plasma high in proteins
B. Sanguineous is a bright red, watery, and thin, but it darkens and thickens as the wound heals
C. Serosanguineous is light pink in color and odorless
D. Purulent drainage consists of bacteria, dead tissue, and white blood cells and has a foul odor
The incorrect option is A. Although serous drainage is clear or pale yellow, it consists of blood plasma that is LOW in proteins, not high.
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