Final answer:
Fever is not a cardinal sign of inflammation; it is a systemic response, different from the local signs such as redness, heat, and swelling.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cardinal signs of inflammation are part of the body's response to injury or infection and include symptoms such as redness, heat, swelling, and pain. These are classic indicators that an inflammatory process is taking place. The question asks which of the provided options is not a cardinal sign of inflammation.
Option 'c. fever' is not considered a cardinal sign of inflammation. While fever can be associated with inflammation, it is generally a systemic response regulated by the hypothalamus in response to pyrogens, which can affect the entire body, rather than a local sign you would observe at an inflamed site.