Final answer:
Monitoring for increased redness, swelling, and pain after wound care is critical for detecting signs of infection and ensuring 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 can indicate an infection. Infections at the site of a wound can impede healing by causing further tissue damage and can spread to become more serious health concerns. Thus, monitoring for these symptoms is crucial for prompt intervention and treatment if an infection develops.