What should a nurse educate a patient about regarding signs of infection post-surgery?

Educating a patient about post-surgical signs of infection is crucial for prompt identification and treatment. The correct answer emphasizes the importance of specific signs that are commonly associated with infection at the surgical site. Redness, swelling, discharge, or worsening pain are classic indicators that the body's immune response may be engaged in fighting an infection.

Promptly recognizing these symptoms allows for timely intervention, which is vital in preventing complications such as abscess formation or systemic infection. Patients should be made aware that these signs can develop days or even weeks after surgery, and understanding this helps them to closely monitor their recovery.

While fever can be a sign of infection, it is not the only indicator and can sometimes occur due to other reasons related to surgical recovery. Increased appetite and low energy levels may not directly point toward infection and could also be influenced by other post-surgical factors such as anesthesia effects or underlying health conditions. Therefore, focusing on the clear and definable signs of infection helps empower patients to participate actively in their recovery process.