If a person with a simple broken bone is moved, ___.

• A. The simple fracture could become a compound fracture
• B. Internal organs could be punctured
• C. Either a or b
• D. Neither a nor b

Answer: (C)

Moving someone with a simple fracture can worsen the injury. A closed fracture means the bone is broken but the skin isn’t breached. If the person is moved, the broken ends can shift and the bone can pierce the skin, creating an open or compound fracture. At the same time, sharp bone fragments or misalignment can damage nearby internal organs, depending on the fracture’s location. Because either of these things could happen, it’s best to immobilize the limb and get professional medical help rather than moving the person more than necessary.