American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

Which definition describes a comminuted fracture?

1. Complete break across the bone

2. Shatters the affected part into multiple fragments

3. Affects only the growth plate of a bone

4. Causes a minor fracture with no shattering

The correct answer is: Shatters the affected part into multiple fragments

A comminuted fracture is characterized by the breaking of a bone into multiple fragments, which aligns perfectly with the definition provided. This type of fracture typically results from a high-impact trauma, such as a fall from a significant height or a severe automobile accident, making the bone shatter rather than simply crack. In contrast, the other options describe different types of fractures: a complete break across the bone refers to a simple fracture where the bone is broken into two pieces, the option concerning the growth plate specifically refers to a Salter-Harris fracture that affects a child’s developing bone, and the minor fracture description would most likely pertain to a hairline or stress fracture. Thus, option B is the most precise definition for a comminuted fracture.