Orthopaedic Technologist Certified Test Orthopaedic Technologist Certified Fracture Classification and Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which fracture classification system uses Types I, II, and III to describe open fractures based on wound size and soft tissue damage?
- AO/OTA Classification
- Gustilo-Anderson Classification (Correct answer)
- Garden Classification
- Neer Classification
Correct answer: Gustilo-Anderson Classification
The Gustilo-Anderson classification categorizes open fractures into Types I, II, and III based on wound size, contamination level, and soft tissue injury severity.
Question 2: A fracture line running perpendicular (at a right angle) to the long axis of the bone is best described as which type?
- Oblique
- Spiral
- Transverse (Correct answer)
- Comminuted
Correct answer: Transverse
A transverse fracture runs at approximately 90° to the long axis of the bone and is typically caused by direct bending force.
Question 3: Which fracture type is characterized by three or more bone fragments at the fracture site?
- Greenstick
- Stress
- Comminuted (Correct answer)
- Impacted
Correct answer: Comminuted
A comminuted fracture produces three or more bone fragments at the injury site and is commonly the result of high-energy trauma.
Question 4: A Colles' fracture is a distal radius fracture characterized by which deformity?
- Volar angulation
- Dorsal angulation (Correct answer)
- Radial deviation only
- Ulnar deviation only
Correct answer: Dorsal angulation
A Colles' fracture involves dorsal angulation of the distal radius fragment, producing the classic 'dinner fork' deformity on lateral X-ray.
Question 5: Which fracture type is most commonly seen in pediatric patients due to incomplete bone ossification?
- Stress
- Pathologic
- Greenstick (Correct answer)
- Avulsion
Correct answer: Greenstick
Greenstick fractures occur in children because their incompletely ossified bones are more pliable, causing the bone to crack on one cortex without complete separation.
Question 6: The Garden classification system is used specifically to categorize fractures of which anatomical location?
- Proximal humerus
- Distal femur
- Femoral neck (Correct answer)
- Tibial plateau
Correct answer: Femoral neck
The Garden classification (Grades I–IV) categorizes intracapsular femoral neck fractures to guide treatment decisions and predict avascular necrosis risk.
Which fracture classification system uses Types I, II, and III to describe open fractures based on wound size and soft tissue damage?