Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Test

What happens when a fracture occurs?

1. Bone marrow increases production of red blood cells.

2. Collagen is secreted around each fractured end and inflammation occurs.

3. Cartilage forms a callus around the break.

4. Muscle tissue repairs itself immediately.

The correct answer is: Collagen is secreted around each fractured end and inflammation occurs.

When a fracture occurs, one of the initial responses by the body is the inflammation process, which is crucial for healing. This inflammation brings a variety of cells to the injury site that help remove debris and bacteria, preparing the area for repair. As part of the response, collagen is secreted around the ends of the fractured bone. Collagen is a fundamental protein that provides structure and strength to the tissue, forming a soft callus to stabilize the break. The process involves several stages, beginning with inflammation, followed by the formation of a soft callus made from collagen. Over time, this soft callus is replaced by a hard bony callus through the activation of osteoblasts, which create new bone tissue. This healing process is essential for restoring the integrity and strength of the bone. Other options focus on different aspects of tissue response that are either unrelated or less relevant to the fracture healing process. For instance, while bone marrow does play a role in blood cell production, this is not a direct response to a fracture. The cartilage forming a callus is a later stage and is not the first response, and muscle tissue repairs do not occur immediately or in relation to the fracture but rather respond to the injury in a different timeline.