AST Surgical Technologist Practice Exam

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Which of the following terms describes a fracture in which the bone penetrates the skin?

Simple fracture
Compound fracture
Comminuted fracture
Greenstick fracture

The correct answer is: Compound fracture

A compound fracture is defined as a fracture in which the bone has broken and penetrated through the skin, exposing the fracture to the external environment. This type of fracture typically carries a higher risk of infection due to the opening in the skin and the potential for contaminants to enter the body. It can also lead to more complex healing issues compared to other types of fractures. In contrast, a simple fracture does not break through the skin; the bone may be fractured, but the integrity of the skin remains intact. Comminuted fractures involve the bone being shattered into multiple pieces, while greenstick fractures are incomplete fractures commonly seen in children where the bone bends and partially breaks, similar to bending a green twig. Therefore, the characteristic of breaking through the skin is a key reason why the term for this specific type of fracture is compound.