Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) Practice Exam

What is a pathologic fracture?

1. A fracture due to trauma

2. A fracture occurring spontaneously as a result of disease

3. A normal fracture from overuse

4. A fracture involving the skin

The correct answer is: A fracture occurring spontaneously as a result of disease

A pathologic fracture is defined as a fracture that occurs without significant trauma, often resulting from an underlying disease that weakens the bones, such as osteoporosis, cancer, or bone infections. This means that the fracture can happen spontaneously or with minimal stress that would not typically cause a fracture in a healthy bone. In contrast, fractures caused by trauma involve identifiable forces or impacts, such as falls or accidents, which are not applicable in this context. Additionally, fractures due to overuse, known as stress fractures, are linked to repetitive activity that gradually weakens the bone, not disease. Lastly, while a fracture can involve the skin (open fracture), this attribute does not define the fracture itself as pathologic; instead, it refers to the type of fracture and its treatment implications. Therefore, the definition of a pathologic fracture emphasizes the role of disease in its occurrence.