177) ANSWER

C) Clot binding the wound edges

RATIONALE

The first signs of healing are absence of bleeding and wound edges bound by fibrin in the clot. Inflammation at the wound edges follows the first sign, and then, when the clot diminishes, inflammation decreases, and collagen forms a scar. Eliminate option 2 as not being indicative of healing, and option 4 as being a later stage than is described in the question stem.