Which assessment finding would indicate infection in a patient who underwent an adrenalectomy?

Which assessment finding would indicate infection in a patient who underwent an adrenalectomy?

• A. Increase of 1°F in body temperature
• B. Increase of 2°F in body temperature
• C. No fever
• D. Hypothermia

Answer: (A)

Fever is an important early signal of infection after surgery. The body typically responds to an infectious process with a rise in temperature, and even a small increase can be the first clue that infection is developing in the postoperative period. A 1°F rise above baseline is the earliest detectable change, prompting assessment and possible treatment before the fever becomes more pronounced. No fever or hypothermia would not point to an infection at that moment, while a higher fever would still indicate infection but the question targets the earliest sign. So a mild, 1°F temperature rise best reflects the initial indication of infection in this scenario.

Fever is an important early signal of infection after surgery. The body typically responds to an infectious process with a rise in temperature, and even a small increase can be the first clue that infection is developing in the postoperative period. A 1°F rise above baseline is the earliest detectable change, prompting assessment and possible treatment before the fever becomes more pronounced. No fever or hypothermia would not point to an infection at that moment, while a higher fever would still indicate infection but the question targets the earliest sign. So a mild, 1°F temperature rise best reflects the initial indication of infection in this scenario.