Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) Practice Exam

What characterizes a greenstick fracture?

1. Completely broken bone

2. Partially bent and partially broken bone

3. Only a soft tissue injury

4. Fracture due to a disease

The correct answer is: Partially bent and partially broken bone

A greenstick fracture is characterized by a bone that is partially bent and partially broken, resembling the way a green twig will bend and splinter when pressure is applied. In children, whose bones are still developing, this type of fracture is common because their bones are more flexible than those of adults. The fracture does not extend completely through the bone, which distinguishes it from other types of fractures, such as complete breaks where the bone is entirely separated into two or more pieces. This phenomenon occurs as the outer bone layer (cortex) may crack or break while the inner part remains intact, much like bending a green twig instead of snapping it in two. Understanding this characteristic is crucial for recognizing the types of injuries that can occur in pediatric patients, as it directly informs their treatment and management.