Question

When assessing a patient with a mandibular fracture, you would MOST likely encounter:

A. pain directly over the chin.
B. misalignment of the teeth.
C. impaired ocular movement.
D. lateral bulging of the jaw.

Answer 1

The most likely encounter when assessing a mandibular fracture would be misalignment of the teeth, as pain might not be localized and other symptoms such as TMJ dislocation could complicate diagnosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a patient with a mandibular fracture, you would MOST likely encounter misalignment of the teeth. The mandible is the only movable bone of the skull, and significant trauma can lead to a fracture, which in turn could alter the alignment of the teeth. Pain over the fracture site can occur, but it may not be very localized, making it difficult to pinpoint. This challenges the myth that a bone fracture can always be identified by very localized pain directly over the break. Additionally, dislocation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) could be present if the fracture is severe, potentially leading to more complex symptoms. However, the most common and readily identifiable sign of a mandibular fracture would be disrupted dental occlusion, or a clear misalignment of the teeth when the jaws are closed