Rich fell through a plate glass window, opening the skin on his right forearm. The wound is spurting blood. This injury may best be described as ________.

The correct answer is a laceration, which is characterized by a tear or cut in the skin or other body tissues. A laceration is typically caused by a sharp object, and in this scenario, Rich falling through a plate glass window would certainly create a jagged or irregular wound associated with that kind of trauma. The fact that the wound is spurting blood indicates that a blood vessel, likely an artery, has been severed, which is common with deeper lacerations.

Understanding the nature of lacerations is important in emergency medical care, as they often require careful evaluation and management to control bleeding and prevent infection. Other types of wounds mentioned, such as punctures or abrasions, do not fit the scenario as well; punctures are typically caused by a pointed object and do not result in spurting blood, while abrasions are superficial scrapes on the skin's surface without significant blood loss. A contusion, on the other hand, refers to a bruise caused by blunt force, not a break in the skin. This further highlights why laceration is the most accurate descriptor for Rich's injury in this situation.