Final answer:
The 'I' in 'RICE' stands for ice, which is used in the treatment of soft tissue injuries to reduce pain and swelling, one of the cardinal signs of inflammation. Fever is not considered a cardinal local sign of inflammation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The "I" in "RICE" stands for ice. The acronym RICE is a mnemonic for the treatment of soft tissue injuries and stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Applying ice to an injury helps reduce both pain and swelling, which is one of the cardinal signs of inflammation. In treating inflammation, redness, heat, and swelling are considered cardinal signs. However, fever, despite being related to infection and inflammation, is not a cardinal sign of localized inflammatory processes. Inflammation is a key process in the body's defense mechanism, an immediate response by the innate immune system to tackle infections and other threats.