A 45-year-old male with no significant past medical history presents with a sprained ankle. He rates his pain as 7/10. He has no allergies. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial recommendation for acute pain management?

Question: A 45-year-old male with no significant past medical history presents with a sprained ankle. He rates his pain as 7/10. He has no allergies. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial recommendation for acute pain management?

Answer options: ✅ Ibuprofen 400 mg every 4-6 hours as needed.

• Acetaminophen 1000 mg every 4-6 hours as needed.
• Codeine 30 mg with acetaminophen 325 mg every 4-6 hours as needed.
• Tramadol 50 mg every 6 hours as needed.

Correct answer: Ibuprofen 400 mg every 4-6 hours as needed.

Explanation: For moderate acute pain like a sprained ankle, an NSAID like ibuprofen is often the first-line choice due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Acetaminophen is also effective, but ibuprofen typically provides superior relief for inflammatory pain. Opioids (codeine, tramadol) should be reserved for more severe pain or when NSAIDs are contraindicated or ineffective.