Which of the following is a common sign of infection in a wound?

Increased drainage or discharge is a well-recognized sign of infection in a wound. When a wound becomes infected, the body's immune response triggers an inflammatory process, leading to increased exudate production. This can manifest as a change in the consistency or amount of fluid coming from the wound, which often becomes purulent or may have an unpleasant odor. This increased drainage indicates that the body is fighting off an infection and is a crucial factor for clinicians to assess when monitoring wound healing.

The other options presented may relate to normal wound healing or improvement rather than signs of infection. For instance, increased granulation tissue typically indicates healing, while bright pink wound edges are often a sign of healthy granulation and epithelization. Progressive pain relief suggests a wound is healing or not infected, rather than symptomatic of an infection.