A closed soft-tissue injury characterized by swelling and ecchymosis is called a:

A closed soft-tissue injury characterized by swelling and ecchymosis is called a:

• A. Abrasion.
• B. Contusion.
• C. Crush injury.
• D. Hematoma.

Answer: (B)

A closed soft-tissue injury characterized by swelling and ecchymosis is referred to as a contusion. This type of injury occurs when blood vessels are damaged due to direct impact or trauma, leading to bleeding beneath the skin without breaking the skin's surface. The resulting accumulation of blood in the surrounding tissues causes the characteristic swelling and discoloration known as ecchymosis, which is commonly seen as a bruise. Understanding the nature of a contusion is vital for EMTs as it helps guide appropriate assessment and treatment. Contusions indicate that the body has experienced trauma, and while they may seem superficial, they can sometimes accompany more serious injuries, such as fractures or internal bleeding. Recognizing the signs of a contusion allows medical personnel to monitor and evaluate the injury's possible impact on the patient's overall condition. In contrast, abrasions involve the outer layer of skin being scraped off, a crush injury indicates damage due to significant compression, and a hematoma refers to a localized collection of blood outside of blood vessels, often in a more contained form than that seen in a contusion. Understanding these distinctions further enhances the EMT's ability to assess and respond to various soft-tissue injuries effectively.

A closed soft-tissue injury characterized by swelling and ecchymosis is referred to as a contusion. This type of injury occurs when blood vessels are damaged due to direct impact or trauma, leading to bleeding beneath the skin without breaking the skin's surface. The resulting accumulation of blood in the surrounding tissues causes the characteristic swelling and discoloration known as ecchymosis, which is commonly seen as a bruise.

Understanding the nature of a contusion is vital for EMTs as it helps guide appropriate assessment and treatment. Contusions indicate that the body has experienced trauma, and while they may seem superficial, they can sometimes accompany more serious injuries, such as fractures or internal bleeding. Recognizing the signs of a contusion allows medical personnel to monitor and evaluate the injury's possible impact on the patient's overall condition.

In contrast, abrasions involve the outer layer of skin being scraped off, a crush injury indicates damage due to significant compression, and a hematoma refers to a localized collection of blood outside of blood vessels, often in a more contained form than that seen in a contusion. Understanding these distinctions further enhances the EMT's ability to assess and respond to various soft-tissue injuries effectively.