North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

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Prepare for the North Carolina EMT State Exam with interactive quizzes and comprehensive explanations. Master your skills and gain confidence by reviewing key topics before test day!

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Which type of fracture involves the bone breaking into multiple pieces?

Greenstick fracture
Spiral fracture
Comminuted fracture
Transverse fracture

The correct answer is: Comminuted fracture

A comminuted fracture is characterized by the bone breaking into three or more fragments. This type of fracture commonly occurs due to high-impact trauma, such as a car accident or a fall from a significant height, where the force is sufficient to shatter the bone. The multiple fragments can complicate treatment because they may require surgical intervention to properly align and stabilize the bone fragments for healing. In contrast, a greenstick fracture is an incomplete fracture typically seen in children, where the bone bends and cracks on one side without breaking completely through. A spiral fracture occurs when a twisting force is applied to the bone, resulting in a helical break. Lastly, a transverse fracture is a straight break that occurs perpendicular to the bone’s long axis. Each of these fracture types has unique characteristics, but the defining feature of a comminuted fracture is its fragmentation into multiple pieces.