Which description defines a compound fracture?

• A. Bone broken and extends past skin
• B. A fracture with no skin break
• C. A fracture that involves only cartilage
• D. A hairline fracture

Answer: (A)

A compound fracture, also known as an open fracture, is when the broken bone breaks through the skin or creates an open wound that communicates with the fracture site. This exactly describes a bone that is broken and extends past the skin, which is why it’s the correct choice. The key idea is that the skin is breached, exposing the bone and surrounding tissues to the environment, which raises infection risk and requires urgent medical care.

A fracture with no skin break describes a closed fracture, where the skin remains intact. Involving only cartilage isn’t a fracture, since a fracture refers to a break in bone, not cartilage. A hairline fracture is a minor, partial crack in bone and is not open to the outside.