American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What does a Colles' fracture typically affect?

1. The pelvis

2. The distal radius bone in the wrist

3. The femur

4. The skull

The correct answer is: The distal radius bone in the wrist

A Colles' fracture specifically refers to a fracture of the distal radius bone in the wrist, often occurring just above the wrist joint. This type of fracture typically happens when a person falls onto an outstretched hand, causing the wrist to bend and fracture the radius. The hallmark of a Colles' fracture is its characteristic dorsal angulation, where the distal fragment of the bone is displaced upwards, leading to a "dinner fork" or "bowl" deformity in the wrist. In this context, the other options involve bones that are not associated with a Colles' fracture. The pelvis, femur, and skull are all areas of the body where different types of fractures can occur, but they do not pertain to the Colles' fracture. Thus, understanding that the Colles' fracture is linked specifically to the distal radius allows for a clear differentiation from these other anatomical areas.