Clinical Medical Assistant Certification Exam Practice Question

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Fractures can be classified based on various characteristics. A compound fracture is specifically defined by the presence of an external wound that connects the fracture site to the skin, increasing the risk of infection.

In contrast, a comminuted fracture involves the bone being shattered into multiple pieces but does not necessarily have an external wound. A complicated fracture refers to one that involves damage to surrounding tissues or organs, which may or may not include an external wound. A greenstick fracture is an incomplete fracture often seen in children, where the bone bends and cracks but does not break completely through, while an impacted fracture occurs when one bone fragment is driven into another, neither of which involves an external wound.