Which of the following is a local sign of CLABSI at the catheter exit site?

• A. Fever
• B. Redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage
• C. Shortness of breath
• D. Abdominal pain

Answer: (B)

Local signs show inflammation confined to where the catheter enters the skin. Redness, swelling, warmth, and drainage at the exit site directly indicate irritation or infection of the catheter tract, making them the hallmark of a local exit-site infection. Fever, by contrast, is a systemic response and can occur with a bloodstream infection rather than being specific to the exit site. Shortness of breath or abdominal pain aren’t localized exit-site signs and point to other processes or systemic involvement. So the presence of redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage at the catheter exit site best signals a local infection related to CLABSI.