Final answer:
The statement is true; localized infections typically exhibit redness, swelling, and pain due to the inflammatory response, while gastrointestinal symptoms are more indicative of systemic infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement you've provided is true. Gentle palpation of the infected area may indeed reveal local tenderness due to inflammation, and these areas often appear red and swollen. Pain and tightness are commonly due to edema, an accumulation of fluid in the tissues. Redness and swelling in an infected area are classic signs of inflammation, which can include heat and pain, resulting from increased blood flow and the movement of leukocytes to the site of infection. Paleness of skin is typically not associated with infection; rather, redness would be expected. Moreover, gastrointestinal disturbances are generally not symptomatic of localized infections but can be seen in systemic infections, which affect the body more broadly.
The accuracy of the statement lies in the clinical signs of inflammation, which include local tenderness, redness, and swelling upon gentle palpation of an infected area. These manifestations are primarily attributed to edema, where fluid accumulates in tissues, causing pain and tightness. The presence of redness and swelling signifies a classic inflammatory response, encompassing increased blood flow and leukocyte migration to the infection site. Contrarily, paleness of the skin is not a typical indication of infection, with redness being the expected outcome. Gastrointestinal disturbances are usually associated with systemic infections affecting the entire body, emphasizing the localized nature of the described symptoms in the context of infection.