Which description best matches serous drainage from a wound?

• A. Purulent (thick, opaque, may be foul-smelling)
• B. Serosanguineous (pink)
• C. Sanguineous (bloody)
• D. Serous (clear, watery)

Answer: (D)

In wound drainage, the appearance and consistency reveal the healing stage and potential infection. Serous drainage is the clear, watery fluid that comes from serum, the liquid portion of blood. This type is typical in the normal early phase of healing, signaling clean, non-infected exudate. It contrasts with purulent drainage, which is thick, opaque, and often foul-smelling and suggests infection; serosanguineous drainage appears pink because it contains some blood mixed with serum; and sanguineous drainage is mainly bloody, bright red. So the description “clear, watery” best matches serous drainage.