The secondary assessment of a patient complaining of right leg pain after falling down several stairs reveals a break in the skin where a fractured tibia bone broke through and then retreated back into the leg. The EMT should recognize this as what type of injury?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An open or compound fracture occurs when a broken bone penetrates the skin, as described in the scenario. The fact that the bone has retreated back into the leg does not change the classification of the injury.

The Secondary Assessment of a Patient Complaining of Right Leg