Which of the following is a sign of a potential wound infection?

• A. Redness
• B. Nausea
• C. Dizziness
• D. Headache

Answer: (A)

Redness around the wound is a direct sign of inflammation, which is the body’s immediate response to potential infection. When bacteria invade a wound, blood vessels near the area dilate to bring immune cells to the site, causing the skin to look red and feel warm. This localized reaction is one of the earliest and most reliable indicators that a wound may be infected.

Nausea, dizziness, and headache are not specific signs of a wound infection; they’re nonspecific symptoms that can arise from many causes and don’t indicate infection at the wound site itself. If redness is spreading, the area becomes increasingly warm or swollen, there is pus, or fever develops, those would be stronger red flags for infection that require evaluation.