Final answer:
Monitoring for increased redness, swelling, and pain post-injury is crucial to detect and treat potential infections quickly, which can prevent complications and aid 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 are signs of a possible infection. An infection can occur when bacteria or other pathogens enter the wound and start to multiply, which can lead to complications and delay the healing process. Infections can become serious if not treated promptly, potentially leading to an increase in systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, and a general feeling of being unwell. Therefore, monitoring these signs post-injury ensures that any potential infection is identified and addressed quickly, reducing the risk of complications and aiding in the patient's recovery.