Pelvic fracture criterion exclusion?

• A. Isolated hip fracture from a ground level fall
• B. Pelvic instability with bleeding
• C. Open pelvic fracture
• D. Pelvic fracture with neurovascular compromise

Answer: (A)

The key idea is to recognize what counts as a true pelvic injury for the pelvic fracture criterion. These criteria apply to injuries involving the pelvic ring and its stability. An isolated hip fracture from a ground-level fall is not a pelvic fracture—it’s a fracture of the proximal femur, with the pelvis remaining intact—so it is excluded from the pelvic fracture criterion. In contrast, pelvic instability with bleeding, an open pelvic fracture, and a pelvic fracture with neurovascular compromise all involve disruption or serious injury to the pelvic ring and therefore meet the pelvic fracture criterion. This distinction matters for appropriate triage and management decisions.