In a medical setting, which of the following is an example of a healthcare-associated infection?

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire while receiving treatment for medical or surgical conditions. These infections occur in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient clinics. The correct answer, which identifies an infection contracted during hospital stays, fits the definition of HAIs because it highlights how patients can be exposed to pathogens while they are in a healthcare facility, often due to invasive procedures, medical devices, or the presence of other patients.

In contrast, other scenarios do not reflect HAIs. For instance, infections acquired in the community typically arise outside of healthcare settings and are not considered associated with the healthcare provision. Similarly, infections that occur after discharge may not be linked to treatment received within a healthcare facility, thus falling outside the definition of HAIs. Lastly, infections contracted from family members would be categorized as community-acquired infections. Therefore, the emphasis on the hospital setting in the correct answer is crucial for understanding the concept of healthcare-associated infections.