When monitoring for signs of a generalized infection, which of the following findings should the nurse be on alert for?

When monitoring for signs of a generalized infection, which of the following findings should the nurse be on alert for?

• A. Swelling of her bilateral wrists
• B. Fever and muscle aches
• C. Redness over her wound site
• D. Hypertension and bradycardia

Answer: (B)

Fever and muscle aches are significant indicators of a systemic or generalized infection. When a person is fighting an infection, the body's immune response typically results in the release of pyrogens, which cause an increase in body temperature leading to fever. This elevated temperature is critical for inhibiting the growth of pathogens and enhancing the immune response. Additionally, muscle aches, or myalgia, often accompany fever in infection cases due to the release of inflammatory mediators that affect muscle tissue and byproducts of the immune response. This set of symptoms reflects the body's systemic reaction to infection and urges healthcare providers to assess the patient more closely for potential infectious processes. Recognizing these signs early is crucial, as they can lead to timely interventions, possibly preventing the infection from worsening or causing further complications. In contrast, other symptoms such as swelling of the wrists, redness over the wound site, or changes in blood pressure and heart rate may indicate localized issues or complications but are not definitive signs of a generalized infection.

Fever and muscle aches are significant indicators of a systemic or generalized infection. When a person is fighting an infection, the body's immune response typically results in the release of pyrogens, which cause an increase in body temperature leading to fever. This elevated temperature is critical for inhibiting the growth of pathogens and enhancing the immune response. Additionally, muscle aches, or myalgia, often accompany fever in infection cases due to the release of inflammatory mediators that affect muscle tissue and byproducts of the immune response.

This set of symptoms reflects the body's systemic reaction to infection and urges healthcare providers to assess the patient more closely for potential infectious processes. Recognizing these signs early is crucial, as they can lead to timely interventions, possibly preventing the infection from worsening or causing further complications.

In contrast, other symptoms such as swelling of the wrists, redness over the wound site, or changes in blood pressure and heart rate may indicate localized issues or complications but are not definitive signs of a generalized infection.