Chart — Wound Care
Wound Drainage Chart
Wound drainage type, appearance, typical meaning, and nursing action at a glance. Includes exudate amount descriptors for accurate documentation.
Data Source: WOCN Society / Wound Healing Society
Educational use only. This material supports nursing education and exam review. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional policy, or medical direction. Always follow facility protocols and current provider orders.
Drainage Type Overview
| Type | Appearance | Meaning | Best Dressing | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serous | Clear, watery, pale yellow to straw-colored | Normal — inflammatory phase exudate. Serum without significant blood or infection. | Light — hydrocolloid, transparent film, thin foam | routine |
| Sanguineous | Bright red, bloody | Active bleeding from wound capillaries. Normal immediately post-injury, post-debridement, or with new wounds. | Alginate (hemostatic) or absorptive foam | monitor |
| Serosanguineous | Pink to salmon-colored | MOST COMMON expected drainage in healing wounds. Normal during inflammatory and early proliferative phases. | Moderate absorber — foam, hydrocolloid, non-adherent | routine |
| Purulent | Thick, opaque — yellow, green, tan, or brown; may have foul odor | INFECTION — bacterial colonization producing purulent exudate. Never normal in any wound. | Antimicrobial (silver, iodine) + absorptive foam or alginate | critical |
Drainage Type Detail & Nursing Actions
Serous Drainage
Clear, watery, pale yellow to straw-colored — Watery, thin
Typical meaning: Normal — inflammatory phase exudate. Serum without significant blood or infection.
When concerning: Large amounts may indicate infection, lymph involvement, or hypoproteinemia
Nursing Actions
- Document type and amount
- Continue current wound care plan
- Light absorber dressing (hydrocolloid, transparent film, thin foam) if present
- Notify provider if amount increases significantly or becomes purulent
Dressing: Light — hydrocolloid, transparent film, thin foam
Sanguineous Drainage
Bright red, bloody — Watery to slightly viscous
Typical meaning: Active bleeding from wound capillaries. Normal immediately post-injury, post-debridement, or with new wounds.
When concerning: Heavy or persistent sanguineous drainage in an established wound = vessel disruption or inadequate hemostasis
Nursing Actions
- Apply pressure if actively bleeding
- Assess cause — was debridement performed? Is there trauma to wound?
- Consider alginate dressing (hemostatic properties)
- Notify provider if heavy, continuous, or unexpected sanguineous drainage
Dressing: Alginate (hemostatic) or absorptive foam
Serosanguineous Drainage
Pink to salmon-colored — Watery, thin — serum mixed with small amount of blood
Typical meaning: MOST COMMON expected drainage in healing wounds. Normal during inflammatory and early proliferative phases.
When concerning: Sudden increase in amount may indicate wound re-injury or dehiscence
Nursing Actions
- Document type and amount
- Reassure patient — this is normal
- Moderate absorber (foam, hydrocolloid, non-adherent) based on volume
- Monitor for change in type or amount
Dressing: Moderate absorber — foam, hydrocolloid, non-adherent
Purulent Drainage
Thick, opaque — yellow, green, tan, or brown; may have foul odor — Thick, viscous
Typical meaning: INFECTION — bacterial colonization producing purulent exudate. Never normal in any wound.
When concerning: ALWAYS concerning — requires immediate action
Nursing Actions
- NOTIFY PROVIDER — purulent drainage always requires evaluation
- Obtain wound culture before initiating antibiotics per order
- Begin or initiate antimicrobial dressings per order (silver, iodine-based)
- Assess for systemic infection signs: fever, elevated WBC, increasing erythema, warmth, tenderness
- Document amount, color, odor, and surrounding wound/periwound findings
Dressing: Antimicrobial (silver, iodine) + absorptive foam or alginate
Exudate Amount Documentation
| Amount Term | Description |
|---|---|
| None / Dry | No visible exudate on wound or dressing |
| Scant | Faint traces only on inner dressing surface |
| Small / Minimal | Covers <25% of dressing surface area |
| Moderate | Covers 25–75% of dressing surface area |
| Large / Copious | Covers >75% of dressing; may saturate through |
Documentation example: “Moderate serosanguineous drainage, approximately 50% saturation of inner foam dressing.”
Related Resources
Standards & sources
Fact-checked Jun 21, 2026This page is written to align with WOCN Society / Wound Healing Society. It is an educational summary, not a citation of any single document — always verify specific doses, values, and protocols against current guidelines and your facility policy. How we source content →