Which term describes an open fracture?

• A. Open Fracture
• B. Closed Fracture
• C. Hairline fracture
• D. Dislocation

Answer: (A)

Open fracture means the bone is fractured and the skin over the fracture is broken, with the bone or fracture site exposed to the outside. This is why it’s also called a compound fracture. The outside wound lets contaminants enter, increasing infection and soft-tissue injury risk, so treatment focuses on prompt wound care, antibiotics, tetanus prophylaxis, imaging, and urgent surgical debridement and stabilization as needed.

In contrast, a closed fracture has skin intact over the fracture, even though the bone is cracked or broken. A hairline fracture is a subtle crack in the bone, typically still closed and often with minimal displacement. Dislocation refers to a joint being out of its normal alignment, not a broken bone through the skin.