Community Health HESI Test Bank Related

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The nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child with a greenstick fracture. In explaining this type of fracture to the parents, the best response by the nurse should be that

  • A. A child's bone is more flexible and can be bent 45 degrees before breaking
  • B. Bones of children are more porous than adults and often have incomplete breaks
  • C. Compression of porous bones produces a buckle or torus type break
  • D. Bone fragments often remain attached by a periosteal hinge
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Greenstick fractures are common in children because their bones are softer and more porous than adult bones, leading to incomplete breaks when force is applied. Choice A is incorrect as greenstick fractures are not due to bone flexibility but rather the porous nature of children's bones. Choice C is incorrect as it describes a buckle or torus type break, which is not characteristic of a greenstick fracture. Choice D is incorrect as greenstick fractures do not involve bone fragments remaining attached by a periosteal hinge.