Final answer:
Monitoring for symptoms such as increased redness, swelling, and pain is crucial to detect any signs of infection following a cut or abrasion. Lymphangitis refers to red streaks on the skin, representing bacterial infection spread within the lymphatic system, requiring medical attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
Importance of Monitoring for Infection
It is important to watch for increased redness, swelling, and pain after a cut or abrasion has been cleaned and bandaged because these symptoms may indicate an infection is developing. An infection can disrupt the healing process and potentially lead to more serious health problems if left untreated. Signs of infection include the presence of pus, spreading redness, warmth in the area of the wound, a fever, or red streaks leading away from the wound.
Identification of Symptoms
The term referring to the red streaks seen on a patient's skin is lymphangitis. This condition is likely caused by the spread of bacterial infection through the lymphatic system. Without proper medical intervention, the condition can escalate, potentially leading to sepsis, which is a life-threatening response to infection.