Before dressing the ulcer, why is inspecting for drainage important?

• A. To determine if infection is present and whether culture/sensitivity is needed.
• B. To decide the dressing color.
• C. To measure foot length.
• D. To evaluate blood pressure.

Answer: (A)

Inspecting drainage before dressing is essential because the drainage pattern is a key clue to whether an infection is present and to what extent. If there’s purulent drainage, a foul odor, increased amount, or color change, these signs suggest infection and signal that a wound culture and sensitivity test may be needed to identify the offending organisms and choose the most effective antibiotic. This early step helps tailor treatment and prevent further spread, which is especially important in older adults where healing is slower and infections can escalate quickly. Other considerations like dressing color, measuring foot length, or checking blood pressure don’t provide the specific information needed to assess infection or guide culture-based therapy.