Which of the following symptoms may indicate the need for further intervention in a soft-tissue injury?

Which of the following symptoms may indicate the need for further intervention in a soft-tissue injury?

• A. Localized redness
• B. Pus or unpleasant odor from the wound
• C. Minor swelling
• D. Stinging sensation

Answer: (B)

The presence of pus or an unpleasant odor from a wound is a significant indicator that the injury may be infected. Infections in soft-tissue injuries can lead to more serious complications if not addressed promptly. Signs of an infection typically include increased redness, warmth, swelling, and the production of pus, which is a result of the body's immune response to bacteria. An unpleasant odor often suggests the presence of necrotic tissue or bacterial growth, thereby signaling the need for further assessment by a healthcare professional to consider treatment options such as antibiotics or surgical intervention. Localized redness, minor swelling, and a stinging sensation can be common responses to a soft-tissue injury and may not necessarily indicate a serious underlying issue. While these symptoms can be monitored, they do not, by themselves, typically warrant immediate further intervention as an infection would.

The presence of pus or an unpleasant odor from a wound is a significant indicator that the injury may be infected. Infections in soft-tissue injuries can lead to more serious complications if not addressed promptly. Signs of an infection typically include increased redness, warmth, swelling, and the production of pus, which is a result of the body's immune response to bacteria. An unpleasant odor often suggests the presence of necrotic tissue or bacterial growth, thereby signaling the need for further assessment by a healthcare professional to consider treatment options such as antibiotics or surgical intervention.

Localized redness, minor swelling, and a stinging sensation can be common responses to a soft-tissue injury and may not necessarily indicate a serious underlying issue. While these symptoms can be monitored, they do not, by themselves, typically warrant immediate further intervention as an infection would.