Which term describes a broken bone that has punctured the skin, leaving an open wound?

Which term describes a broken bone that has punctured the skin, leaving an open wound?

• A. Open fracture
• B. Closed fracture
• C. Sprain
• D. Strain

Answer: (A)

An open fracture occurs when a broken bone breaks through the skin, creating an open wound. This distinguishes it from a closed fracture, where the skin remains intact. Open fractures carry a higher risk of infection and typically require urgent care to manage the wound, along with immobilization of the fracture and often surgical treatment. Sprain and strain are soft-tissue injuries—sprains involve ligaments, and strains involve muscles or tendons—not broken bones, so they don’t describe the situation of a bone puncturing the skin.

An open fracture occurs when a broken bone breaks through the skin, creating an open wound. This distinguishes it from a closed fracture, where the skin remains intact. Open fractures carry a higher risk of infection and typically require urgent care to manage the wound, along with immobilization of the fracture and often surgical treatment. Sprain and strain are soft-tissue injuries—sprains involve ligaments, and strains involve muscles or tendons—not broken bones, so they don’t describe the situation of a bone puncturing the skin.