A14-year-old patient is treated in the emergency room for an acute knee sprain sustained during a soccer game. the nurse reviews discharge instructions with the patient's mother. the instructions cover pain management and swelling reduction for the acute inflammatory stage which lasts:

The instructions cover pain management and swelling reduction for acute inflammatory stage which lasts 24 to 48 hours. The explanation for this is rest and ice application during the first 24 to 48 hours produce vasoconstriction while decreasing bleeding and edema. After this time, the acute inflammatory stage decreases.