Which sign would indicate the presence of a laceration?

The presence of an open wound is a clear indicator of a laceration. A laceration is characterized by a break in the skin that typically results from a sharp object, leading to a wound that is jagged or irregular in shape. Open wounds expose underlying tissues, which can vary in depth and size depending on the severity of the injury.

Other options, such as swelling, contusion, and abrasions, do not specifically denote a laceration. Swelling can accompany various types of injuries, but it does not indicate the nature of the wound itself. A contusion, commonly referred to as a bruise, results from blood vessels breaking underneath the skin without any break in the skin's surface. Abrasions involve the scraping away of the skin's superficial layers but do not typically involve a deep laceration. Thus, recognizing an open wound is essential in identifying a laceration accurately.