Which statement correctly distinguishes open and closed wounds?

Which statement correctly distinguishes open and closed wounds?

• A. Open wound is skin surface broken, infection risk; closed wound has skin surface intact
• B. Open wound has skin surface intact; closed wound is broken
• C. Open wound has no infection risk; closed wound has high infection risk
• D. Open wound occurs only from surgery; closed wound occurs from trauma

Answer: (A)

Distinguishing factor is whether the skin surface is broken. In an open wound the skin is breached, exposing underlying tissues to air, debris, and bacteria, which increases infection risk and requires cleansing and dressing to protect the wound. In a closed wound, the skin remains intact, though there may be internal tissue damage such as a bruise or hematoma; the barrier against infection is preserved, so the infection risk is generally lower. The other statements misstate these points: the skin isn’t intact in an open wound, an open wound isn’t free of infection risk, and open wounds can result from trauma as well as surgery (whereas closed wounds can also arise from non-surgical blunt trauma).

Distinguishing factor is whether the skin surface is broken. In an open wound the skin is breached, exposing underlying tissues to air, debris, and bacteria, which increases infection risk and requires cleansing and dressing to protect the wound. In a closed wound, the skin remains intact, though there may be internal tissue damage such as a bruise or hematoma; the barrier against infection is preserved, so the infection risk is generally lower. The other statements misstate these points: the skin isn’t intact in an open wound, an open wound isn’t free of infection risk, and open wounds can result from trauma as well as surgery (whereas closed wounds can also arise from non-surgical blunt trauma).