Two days after surgery the autotransfusion drainage is sanguinous and full. Which option best describes the next action?

• A. Six hours after hip arthroplasty, the autotransfusion drainage is sanguinous
• B. There is no drainage in the hemovac drain two days after hip surgery
• C. Twenty-four hours after kyphoplasty, dressing change needed
• D. Twelve hours after knee arthroplasty, pain with CPM device

Answer: (A)

Postoperative autotransfusion drainage after hip arthroplasty is typically bloody in the early hours and can remain sanguineous for a day or two. Seeing sanguinous drainage six hours after hip arthroplasty fits this expected pattern, so the appropriate next action is to continue routine monitoring and drainage management—check that the drain is patent, empty or reposition the collection bag if needed when it becomes full, and document the drainage color and amount. No intervention is needed beyond standard observation and maintenance. The other scenarios involve different procedures or situations (no drainage after hip surgery, kyphoplasty dressing changes, or pain with a CPM device after knee arthroplasty) and aren’t relevant to managing the autotransfusion drain in this hip arthroplasty context.