How often should a surgical incision be monitored for signs of infection?

Monitoring a surgical incision for signs of infection is crucial in the postoperative care of a patient. The correct recommendation is to check the incision every day. Daily assessments allow for timely identification of potential complications such as redness, swelling, purulent drainage, or increased pain, which may indicate an infection.

Frequent monitoring is particularly important during the first few days following surgery when the risk of infection is high due to the recent trauma to the tissue and exposure to potential pathogens. Daily checks enable healthcare providers to respond quickly if an infection is detected, thus reducing the risk of serious complications and improving patient outcomes.

Assessing the site less frequently, like once a week, once a month, or every hour, would not provide adequate oversight for early signs of infection. Weekly or monthly checks might miss crucial early changes, while hourly checks could be impractical and unnecessary in most postoperative scenarios.