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?

A) Serous
B) Sanguineous
C) Purosanguineous
D) Purulent

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.