Which of the following would be considered a fracture indicator in an extremity?

• A. Swelling with deformity
• B. Redness without swelling
• C. Normal pulse
• D. Itching

Answer: (A)

Fracture indicators in an extremity commonly include deformity with swelling. When a bone breaks, blood vessels and tissues are damaged, causing swelling, and the bone can shift out of its normal alignment, producing an obvious deformity. This combination strongly suggests a fracture and warrants immobilization and medical evaluation to prevent further injury.

Redness without swelling can occur with irritation or skin conditions, but it doesn’t typically point to a fracture by itself. A normal pulse shows that major blood flow is present, but it doesn’t rule out a fracture or associated nerve injury. Itching is not related to bone injury and doesn’t signal a fracture.