Trauma: open fracture: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Orthopaedics · Trauma: open fracture

Sample item

A patient has a tibial fracture with bone visible through a contaminated wound. What is the most appropriate initial principle?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Urgent antibiotics, tetanus assessment, sterile coverage, and orthopedic debridement planning

Open fractures are contaminated injuries with high infection risk. Early antibiotics, tetanus prophylaxis as indicated, sterile dressing, stabilization, and urgent operative debridement planning are central to care.

Option by option

  • A. Delay all treatment until swelling resolves

    Delay increases infection and soft-tissue complications.

  • B. Close the wound tightly in the emergency department

    Primary tight closure before formal debridement can trap contamination.

  • C. Apply a walking boot and discharge

    A boot and discharge are unsafe for an open tibial fracture.

  • D. Urgent antibiotics, tetanus assessment, sterile coverage, and orthopedic debridement planning (correct)

    Correct. These actions address contamination and limb preservation promptly.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is D, Urgent antibiotics, tetanus assessment, sterile coverage, and orthopedic debridement planning. Open fractures are contaminated injuries with high infection risk.

Why is "Delay all treatment until swelling resolves" not the answer?

Delay increases infection and soft-tissue complications.

Why is "Close the wound tightly in the emergency department" not the answer?

Primary tight closure before formal debridement can trap contamination.

Why is "Apply a walking boot and discharge" not the answer?

A boot and discharge are unsafe for an open tibial fracture.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Trauma: open fracture in Orthopaedics. Early antibiotics, tetanus prophylaxis as indicated, sterile dressing, stabilization, and urgent operative debridement planning are central to care.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Trauma: open fracture?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.