Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) Competency Practice Exam

Signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or fever, indicate a serious complication that can arise after surgery. After a total hip arthroplasty, the surgical site is vulnerable to infection due to the presence of foreign materials, like prosthetic components, and the surgical trauma itself.

Manifestations of infection can escalate quickly if not addressed; untreated infections can lead to systemic infections (such as sepsis), prolonged recovery time, and even the failure of the orthopedic procedure. Fever, along with localized symptoms like redness or swelling, may signal that the body is responding to an infectious process. This is why immediate medical attention is critical when these signs are observed postoperatively. In contrast, decreased appetite, mild pain at the incision site, and loss of sleep can occur as normal responses to surgery and typically do not necessitate urgent intervention unless they are associated with other troubling symptoms.