A closed wound is best described as?

• A. A bruise/contusion.
• B. An open wound.
• C. Puncture wound.
• D. Avulsion.

Answer: (A)

A closed wound means tissue damage without breaking the skin. The most common example is a bruise, or contusion, where blunt force injures small blood vessels under the skin and blood pools there. Because the skin stays intact, you don’t see an open wound or bleeding on the surface, though there can be swelling and tenderness and internal bleeding under the skin as it heals.

In contrast, an open wound involves a break in the skin, like a cut or abrasion; a puncture wound is a small hole made by a pointed object; an avulsion is when tissue is torn away. Those all indicate skin is broken, which is why they don’t describe a closed wound. If a bruise is large, very painful, or you suspect an underlying injury, seek medical attention and protect the area with rest and a cold pack to reduce swelling.