First Aid for Corrections Officers Practice Test

What characterizes a closed soft-tissue injury?

1. Visible open wounds

2. Pooling blood under the skin or internal bleeding

3. Fractures or breakage of bones

4. Pain without any swelling

The correct answer is: Pooling blood under the skin or internal bleeding

A closed soft-tissue injury is characterized by damage to the tissues beneath the skin without any visible open wounds. This typically results in pooling of blood under the skin, also known as a contusion or bruise, which occurs when small blood vessels rupture due to trauma. In these types of injuries, internal bleeding may be present, but the skin remains intact, differentiating it from open wounds. The other scenarios described involve conditions that are not characteristic of closed soft-tissue injuries. For instance, visible open wounds involve breaks in the skin, which would classify as an open injury instead. Fractures pertain to the breaking of bones, which is not included in the definition of soft-tissue injuries, and pain without swelling might indicate a different type of injury or condition rather than a closed soft-tissue injury itself. Thus, pooling blood or internal bleeding accurately represents the hallmark signs of a closed soft-tissue injury.