What assessment finding should alert the nurse to a potential infection in a postoperative patient?

The presence of redness and warmth at the incision site is a significant assessment finding that can indicate a potential infection in a postoperative patient. Inflammation, which manifests as redness (erythema) and increased temperature (warmth), occurs as part of the body's natural response to injury or infection. These signs suggest that there may be an underlying infection developing at the surgical site, as they indicate an immune response to pathogens.

Monitoring incision sites postoperatively is essential for early detection of infection, as timely intervention can prevent complications. Other findings, such as stable vital signs, decreased pain, and clear drainage, may not necessarily signal the presence of an infection. Stable vital signs typically indicate that the patient's overall hemodynamic status is stable, while decreased pain can suggest effective pain management and healing, and clear drainage is often associated with normal postoperative healing rather than infection. Therefore, the redness and warmth at the incision site are alerting indicators for the nurse to further investigate for possible infection.