Michigan Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What is the condition in which the body reacts to injury, irritation, or infection?

1. Infection

2. Inflammation

3. Contusion

4. Allergy

The correct answer is: Inflammation

The condition in which the body reacts to injury, irritation, or infection is known as inflammation. Inflammation is a complex biological response that involves the activation of the immune system, leading to increased blood flow, the accumulation of immune cells, and the release of biochemical substances. This process helps to contain and eliminate the harmful stimuli, clear away damaged cells, and initiate the healing process. When the body experiences injury or irritation, such as a cut or infection, the inflammatory response is triggered. Signs of inflammation typically include redness, heat, swelling, and pain in the affected area. This process not only helps to prevent further damage but also paves the way for recovery by promoting tissue repair. Other options such as infection, contusion, and allergy, while related to bodily reactions, do not directly describe the generic response of inflammation. Infection specifically refers to the invasion of pathogens, a contusion refers to a bruise caused by trauma, and an allergy is an exaggerated immune response to a foreign substance, often resulting in inflammation as a secondary effect. However, the primary term that encompasses the reaction to injury, irritation, or infection is inflammation.