CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

Which type of fracture involves more than two bone fragments?

1. Simple fracture

2. Comminuted fracture

3. Stress fracture

4. Greenstick fracture

The correct answer is: Comminuted fracture

A comminuted fracture is characterized by the presence of multiple bone fragments, often resulting from high-impact trauma. This type of fracture typically occurs when the bone is shattered into three or more pieces, which can complicate the healing process and may require surgical intervention to realign and stabilize the fragments. In contrast, a simple fracture refers to a single fracture line that does not create bone fragments, maintaining the overall alignment of the bone. A stress fracture, on the other hand, is a small crack in the bone often related to overuse, rather than a result of direct trauma, and usually involves intact surrounding bone structure. Lastly, a greenstick fracture, which primarily occurs in children, is an incomplete fracture where the bone bends and cracks on one side, resembling how a green twig would break. These distinctions highlight why a comminuted fracture is the correct answer, as it specifically involves more than two fragments of bone, significantly differentiating it from the other types listed.