Red Cross Lifeguard Practice Test

When caring for musculoskeletal injuries, what does RICE stand for?

1. Remove, immobilize, care, elevate.

2. Rest, ice, care, evaluate.

3. Rest, immobilize, cold, elevate.

4. Remove, ice, care, evaluate.

The correct answer is: Rest, immobilize, cold, elevate.

RICE refers to a standard method for treating musculoskeletal injuries, which emphasizes the importance of initial care to reduce swelling and pain. The acronym stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. In this context, "Rest" helps to avoid further injury and allows the body to begin healing. "Ice" is applied to reduce inflammation and numb pain, which is crucial in the first 48 hours following an injury. "Compression" helps to limit swelling and support the injured area, while "Elevation" aids in decreasing swelling by allowing fluids to drain away from the injured site. The answer you've identified aligns with this understanding by emphasizing Rest, cold application (ice), and Elevation. This approach is essential for minimizing damage and supporting recovery. The inclusion of "cold" instead of "ice" might suggest a slightly broader understanding of cooling methods, but in practice, ice is the preferred method used. Thus, this choice effectively captures the RICE principle for immediate care of musculoskeletal injuries.