NREMT Paramedic Practice

What defines a depressed skull fracture?

1. Fracture that does not penetrate the scalp

2. Fracture caused by low-velocity impact

3. Fracture resulting in displacement of bone fragments into the cranial cavity

4. Fracture lacking any associated symptoms

The correct answer is: Fracture resulting in displacement of bone fragments into the cranial cavity

A depressed skull fracture is characterized by the displacement of bone fragments into the cranial cavity. This types of fracture occurs when a heavy object strikes the skull with sufficient force, causing part of the skull to indent and press down into the brain space. This inward displacement can potentially lead to brain injury or other complications such as bleeding within the cranial cavity. In contrast, a fracture that does not penetrate the scalp would not necessarily indicate depression, as it might simply involve the outer layer of the skull without causing a shift in bone structure. Low-velocity impacts typically result in different types of skull fractures, such as linear fractures, rather than the indentation characteristic seen in depressed fractures. Finally, a fracture lacking any associated symptoms does not define the severity or the specific type of skull fracture; in fact, symptoms like loss of consciousness, confusion, or neurological deficits often accompany depressed skull fractures due to the involvement of underlying brain structures. Thus, the defining characteristic is indeed the displacement of bone fragments into the cranial cavity.