What is a common indicator of infection in a wound?

Increased redness, warmth, and drainage are commonly recognized indicators of infection in a wound. When the body fights an infection, the inflammatory response is triggered, leading to changes in the affected area. Redness occurs due to increased blood flow as the immune system sends white blood cells and other factors to the site to combat pathogens. Warmth is another result of this increased blood flow, signifying heightened metabolic activity related to the immune response. Additionally, the presence of drainage—especially if it is purulent (containing pus)—can indicate the body's response to infection, suggesting that the wound is not healing properly and that there may be bacterial activity.

Other options describe conditions that do not suggest infection. Decreased size and improved color indicate healing, while stable temperature and minimal pain suggest that there is no active inflammatory process or infection. The presence of necrotic tissue could signal underlying complications but does not inherently indicate infection; it could also be a result of other issues, such as impaired blood supply. Thus, increased redness, warmth, and drainage are clear and direct signs that point towards an infection in a wound.