Question

A PCT is caring for a patient who has an abdominal incision dressing that is saturated with thick, green drainage. The PCT should identify that this is which of the following types of drainage?

A) Serous drainage
B) Sanguineous drainage
C) Purulent drainage
D) Serosanguineous drainage

Answer 1

The green thick drainage from an abdominal incision is considered purulent drainage, which suggests an infection. Other types of drainage include serous, sanguineous, and serosanguineous, with different appearances and implications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The PCT (Patient Care Technician) should identify that an abdominal incision dressing saturated with thick, green drainage is indicative of purulent drainage. Purulent drainage is typically thick, often has a yellow, green, or brown color, and usually indicates an infection. In contrast, serous drainage is clear or slightly yellow and thin, sanguineous drainage is fresh bleeding of a bright red color, and serosanguineous drainage is a mixture of clear and red fluid.

Given the context, a blood test for a patient suffering from chronic, watery diarrhea for two months might reveal signs consistent with an infection or other medical conditions that require further medical examination.