What is an example of a closed wound?

• A. A laceration
• B. A bruise or contusion
• C. An abrasion
• D. A puncture wound

Answer: (B)

A closed wound is characterized by damage beneath the skin's surface, typically without an open break in the skin itself. A bruise, or contusion, is the result of bleeding beneath the skin following blunt trauma, leading to discoloration and swelling without any break in the skin, which clearly places it in the category of a closed wound.

In contrast, a laceration involves a tear or cut in the skin, an abrasion represents a scrape where the outer layer of skin has been removed, and a puncture wound results from a sharp object that penetrates the skin and may affect deeper tissues. All these involve some level of an opening in the skin, disqualifying them as closed wounds. Thus, the bruise or contusion serves as the ideal example of a closed wound type.