Final answer:
Monitoring for increased redness, swelling, and pain after treating a wound is essential to detect infections early, preventing complications and promoting proper healing.
Step-by-step explanation:
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. Infections can lead to complications if not treated promptly and properly. A body's inflammatory response to bacteria or other pathogens can cause these symptoms, and monitoring them allows for early detection and treatment. This is crucial to prevent the spread of the infection and to ensure proper healing of the wound.