CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What characterizes a compound fracture?

1. The bone is intact

2. The bone has broken through the skin

3. It results in two fragments

4. It is a hairline fracture

The correct answer is: The bone has broken through the skin

A compound fracture, also known as an open fracture, is characterized by the bone breaking through the skin. This condition exposes the bone and the surrounding tissue to the external environment, increasing the risk of infection and complications. In such cases, immediate medical attention is necessary to clean the wound and stabilize the fracture appropriately. The other options describe different types of fractures. An intact bone would describe a normal, healthy bone state, not a fracture at all. A fracture resulting in two fragments would typically refer to a specific type of fracture called a simple fracture, where the bone breaks into two sections but does not puncture the skin. A hairline fracture indicates a minor or stress fracture that typically does not displace the bone and involves only a partial break, which is again different from what characterizes a compound fracture.