Which of the following are signs of infection at a surgical site?

The signs of infection at a surgical site typically include localized symptoms that indicate the body's response to an infectious agent. Redness, swelling, warmth, and drainage are all classic manifestations of inflammation and infection.

When an infection occurs, the body's immune response leads to increased blood flow to the area, resulting in redness and warmth. This is accompanied by swelling due to the accumulation of fluids and immune cells in the tissue. Drainage, which can be purulent (pus-filled), indicates the presence of bacteria and the body working to expel the infection. These symptoms are significant because they not only indicate that an infection may be present, but they also provide diagnostic information about the severity and nature of the infection, guiding further evaluation and treatment.

In contrast, the other options represent symptoms that are more general and may not specifically indicate an infection at the surgical site. Nausea, vomiting, headache, and fatigue can occur for various reasons unrelated to a local infection, such as anesthetic effects, medication reactions, or stress from the surgical procedure itself. Pain and fever may suggest infection but are not definitive without the localized signs of redness, swelling, warmth, and drainage, which directly indicate infection at the surgical site.