Final answer:
Cold to the touch is NOT a component of an incisional dehiscence secondary to infection; the signs typically include purulent discharge, swelling, and pain, with infected areas usually warm to the touch.
Step-by-step explanation:
The component of an incisional dehiscence NOT secondary to infection is B. Cold to the touch. The typical signs of infection at a surgical site include purulent discharge, which is a buildup of pus in or around the wound, swelling due to inflammation, and pain as a response of the body to the infection. Coldness of the skin is not a typical sign of infection; in fact, infected areas are usually warm or hot to the touch due to increased blood flow and the inflammatory response.
Understanding these signs is important for early detection and treatment of infections, which can help prevent complications such as dehiscence (the reopening of a wound). Health professionals closely monitor postoperative wounds for signs of infection to prevent the potential progression to more serious conditions like necrotizing fasciitis, which is characterized by a rapid and destructive infection of the tissue underneath the skin.