How can you differentiate between a closed and open fracture?

An open fracture is characterized by the fact that it penetrates the skin, resulting in exposure of the bone, which distinguishes it from a closed fracture. In a closed fracture, the bone is broken but the skin remains intact, meaning there is no external wound. The exposure of bone in an open fracture poses a higher risk of infection and complicates the healing process, making it a critical condition that often requires more immediate and aggressive medical attention.

The other choices provide important information about fractures but do not describe their fundamental differences. While some closed fractures can be severe, not all are necessarily more severe than open fractures. Soft tissue injuries can accompany both open and closed fractures, but open fractures are more likely to involve significant soft tissue damage due to the nature of the injury. Finally, it is true that both fracture types can involve severe pain and swelling, but this characteristic does not serve to differentiate between them.