Which statement would indicate a pin-site infection requiring assessment?

• A. Pin sites are clean without signs of infection
• B. Neurovascular status remains intact
• C. Pain around the pin site is improving
• D. Redness and drainage around the pin site

Answer: (D)

Pin-site infections show up as local inflammation plus discharge, so redness around the pin site with drainage is the clear sign that an assessment is needed. The redness indicates inflammation that could be due to infection, and any drainage—especially if it’s purulent—signals a potential infectious process that needs evaluation to prevent spread or complications like bone infection. In contrast, a clean pin site with no signs of infection suggests there’s no infection to address; intact neurovascular status means circulation and nerves are okay but doesn’t itself indicate infection; and improving pain around the pin site points toward healing rather than a developing infection.