A wound drainage that is bright red and consists of blood is described as which type of exudate?

A wound drainage that is bright red and consists of blood is described as which type of exudate?

• A. Serous exudate
• B. Sanguineous exudate
• C. Purulent exudate
• D. Serosanguineous exudate

Answer: (B)

Wound drainage color and content reveal what’s happening at the site. Bright red, blood-dominated drainage is sanguineous exudate, which means red blood cells are present in the fluid. This indicates active bleeding or recent vascular injury within the wound. It differs from serous exudate (clear, watery fluid), serosanguineous exudate (pink to light red from a mix of serum and blood), and purulent exudate (pus, thick and often opaque). So the described drainage is sanguineous exudate.

Wound drainage color and content reveal what’s happening at the site. Bright red, blood-dominated drainage is sanguineous exudate, which means red blood cells are present in the fluid. This indicates active bleeding or recent vascular injury within the wound. It differs from serous exudate (clear, watery fluid), serosanguineous exudate (pink to light red from a mix of serum and blood), and purulent exudate (pus, thick and often opaque). So the described drainage is sanguineous exudate.