Which of the following describes the inflammatory phase of wound healing?

The inflammatory phase of wound healing is characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain. This phase occurs immediately after an injury and serves as the body's initial response to tissue damage. During this phase, blood vessels in the injured area dilate to increase blood flow, leading to the characteristic redness and warmth. The increased permeability of blood vessels allows for the leakage of fluid into the surrounding tissues, resulting in swelling. In addition, immune cells migrate to the site of injury, which can contribute to pain and the activation of the healing process. This phase is crucial because it sets the stage for the subsequent stages of healing by preventing infection and initiating tissue repair.

The other responses reflect different stages or aspects of wound healing. For instance, the formation of scar tissue is associated with the remodeling phase, new tissue formation occurs during the proliferation phase, and granulation of tissue is also part of the proliferation phase. Each of these elements is important for overall wound healing, but they do not specifically define the inflammatory phase.