What are common signs of an infection at the vascular access site?

The presence of infection at the vascular access site is typically indicated by localized signs. When assessing for infection, one would expect to observe symptoms such as redness and swelling around the access site, which suggest inflammation. Warmth indicates increased blood flow to the area as the body fights off potential pathogens. Drainage often implies that there is an infectious process at work, and increased pain is a response to the infection and inflammation as the body signals that something is wrong. Together, these signs form a clear indication of an infection localized at the vascular access site, making this response the appropriate choice in identifying common signs of such an infection.