Which term describes scrapes?

• A. Punctures
• B. Deformities
• C. Contusions
• D. Abrasions

Answer: (D)

Scrapes are abrasions: a superficial skin injury caused by friction that removes the outermost layer of skin, leaving a raw, exposed surface. This contrasts with punctures, which are holes made by a sharp object that can go deeper; deformities, which involve displaced bones or joints; and contusions, which are bruises from underlying blood vessel damage that darken the skin without a scraped surface. In practice, abrasions appear as a scraped, sometimes bleedy area on the skin and are common from falls or slides on rough surfaces. For care, gently clean the area and cover it with a sterile dressing to prevent infection, monitoring for signs that would require medical attention.