A laceration is best described as which of the following?

• A. A bruised, torn and jagged cut
• B. A clean, straight incision
• C. A small puncture wound
• D. A dry scrape

Answer: (A)

A laceration is a tear in tissue that produces irregular, jagged edges, often with bruising from underlying damage. This is why it’s described as a bruised, torn and jagged cut. By contrast, an incision is a clean, straight cut usually made by a surgical tool; a puncture wound is a small hole made by piercing objects; a scrape (abrasion) is a superficial injury that scrapes away the surface skin.