Which statement best describes a dislocation?

• A. A tear of a muscle or tendon.
• B. An injury in which there is a separation of two bones at a joint; immobilize, apply cold compress, ice, compression, and rehabilitation.
• C. A fracture of a bone.
• D. A concussion.

Answer: (B)

Dislocation means the bones that meet at a joint are forced out of their normal alignment, so the joint surfaces don’t meet properly. This causes sharp pain, swelling, deformity, and an inability to move the joint normally. The description that fits a dislocation emphasizes a separation at a joint and typical immediate care: immobilize the limb to prevent further injury, apply cold to reduce swelling, and seek medical treatment with rehabilitation afterward. A tear of a muscle or tendon describes a soft tissue injury (strain or sprain) rather than a joint separation. A fracture is a break in a bone, and a concussion is an injury to the brain.