What does a blunt injury indicate?

A blunt injury indicates that, although the outer layer of skin remains intact and unbroken, there is an underlying damage that has occurred. This type of injury typically results from a forceful impact or blow, which can lead to bruising, swelling, or internal damage to tissues and organs without penetrating the skin. Such injuries often require careful assessment as the internal effects can be serious, and the extent of damage may not be immediately apparent.

The other choices do not align with the definition of a blunt injury. An injury that requires stitches indicates that the skin has been broken, which contradicts the concept of a blunt injury. Similarly, stating that a blunt injury is less severe than a cutting injury does not accurately capture the nature of blunt force trauma, as both types of injuries can vary significantly in severity depending on the context and specifics. Lastly, claiming that there is no damaged tissue at all is incorrect since a key characteristic of a blunt injury is the existence of damage beneath the surface, even if the skin stays intact.