American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What characterizes a closed fracture?

1. Involves a break in the skin

2. Does not involve a break in the skin

3. Complicated by internal bleeding

4. Requires surgical intervention

The correct answer is: Does not involve a break in the skin

A closed fracture is characterized by the fact that it does not involve a break in the skin, which means the bone breaks underneath the skin without creating an open wound. This distinction is crucial in medical terminology, as it helps guide the management and treatment protocols for the injury. When a fracture is closed, the surrounding soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and skin are intact, reducing the risk of further complications, such as infection, which is more frequent in open fractures where the skin is broken. Understanding this concept is vital for health professionals when assessing the severity of a fracture and determining an appropriate treatment plan. The other options describe conditions and scenarios that either define different types of fractures (like open fractures which involve a skin break), possible complications (such as internal bleeding), or treatment approaches (surgical intervention), but none of these elements define what a closed fracture is.