Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) Practice Test 2025 – All-In-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

The appropriate term for thin, watery, reddish drainage on a wound dressing is serosanguineous. This type of drainage is characterized by its composition, which includes both serum (the clear, yellowish part of blood) and blood, giving it a pink to red color. This appearance indicates that there is some blood mixed with the fluid, which is normal in the initial stages of healing after surgery.

In the context of wound care, understanding the types of drainage is essential for assessing healing and identifying potential complications. Other types of drainage include serous, which is clear or pale yellow and does not contain blood, indicating a non-bloody fluid that is typical in healing wounds. Purulent drainage, on the other hand, is thick and often yellow, green, or brown, suggesting an infection. Therefore, recognizing the specific characteristics of serosanguineous drainage helps in monitoring the patient's recovery and informs the care that should be provided.