Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Test 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Monitoring for signs of infection and proper healing after surgery is critical for a patient's recovery. Following a surgical procedure, the body undergoes a healing process that can be complicated by infections at the surgical site. Signs of infection may include increased redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage from the incision, as well as systemic signs such as fever and chills.

Proper healing indicators can include the condition of the incision, the absence of excessive pain, and the overall response of the body to the surgical trauma. Early detection of infection can significantly reduce complications, prolong hospital stays, and impact overall patient outcomes.

While monitoring for dehydration, emotional well-being, and exercise capacity is also important in overall patient care, they are not as directly tied to the immediate post-operative risks as signs of infection and healing. These other factors might come into play later during the recovery process, but the urgency of infection monitoring cannot be overstated in the post-operative phase.