What does the acronym RICE stand for?

The acronym RICE stands for Rest, Immobilize, Cool, Elevate, and it is a widely accepted first aid approach for managing minor injuries, particularly sprains and strains.

Rest is crucial as it prevents further injury and allows the affected area to begin healing. Immobilization ensures that the injured part does not move and exacerbates the damage, helping to stabilize the injury. Cooling the injury, typically by applying ice, reduces swelling and numbs pain. Elevation of the injured body part helps minimize swelling by enhancing the return of blood from the area, facilitating the healing process.

This combination of steps is effective in addressing soft tissue injuries and is backed by first aid guidelines. The other options do not fully encompass these critical components in the context of injury management.