TIC is an acronym for which of the following?

• A. Tenderness, Instability, Crepitus
• B. Temperature, Inflammation, Circulation
• C. Traction, Integrity, Contraction
• D. Tissue, Infection, Condition

Answer: (A)

In a fast fracture assessment, three concrete signs point toward bone injury: tenderness at the injury site, instability of the bone segment, and crepitus—the crackling sensation or sound from bone fragments moving. These three elements form the TIC acronym. Tenderness shows the area hurts and likely involves underlying damage; instability means the bone isn’t held in proper alignment, which is a key fracture indicator; crepitus provides direct evidence of loose bone fragments rubbing together. Because TIC is defined by these exact signs, this is the best match. Other terms describe inflammation, general tissue conditions, or non-fracture concepts, which don’t align with the specific fracture-sign triad.