When assessing a patient's wound, what does purulent drainage indicate?

Purulent drainage is a type of fluid that is typically thick, opaque, and yellow or greenish in color, commonly resulting from the presence of pus. This type of drainage is associated with infection, as it indicates the body's immune response to bacteria or pathogens entering the wound site. When assessing a patient's wound, the presence of purulent drainage is a clear indicator of potential infection at the surgical site and should prompt immediate investigation or intervention by healthcare providers.

Healthy healing is characterized by clear or serous drainage, and normal postoperative responses generally do not include purulent drainage but may involve some degree of serous or sanguineous fluid, which are not indicative of infection. Improper wound care, while it might contribute to infection, is not the primary interpretation of purulent drainage itself; rather, the focus is on the actual presence of infection that it signifies. Therefore, understanding purulent drainage as a sign of infection is crucial in postoperative wound assessment for ensuring timely and appropriate care.