Question

A client had a transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary gland. The nurse notes drainage on the nasal dressing. Suspecting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, the nurse should look for drainage that is of which characteristic?

1.Serosanguineous only
2.Bloody with very small clots 3.Sanguineous only with no clot formation
4.Serosanguineous, surrounded by clear to straw-colored fluid

Answer 1

When examining drainage after a transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary gland, a nurse should look for serosanguineous drainage surrounded by clear to straw-colored fluid, as it indicates cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse suspects cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage after a transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary gland, they should look for drainage that is serosanguineous, surrounded by clear to straw-colored fluid. Serosanguineous drainage refers to a mixture of blood and serous fluid. In this case, it indicates the presence of CSF.