To confirm a fracture of the distal forearm, the physician would view an x-ray study of which of the following body parts?

The correct choice involves examining the radius and ulna when confirming a fracture of the distal forearm. The distal forearm specifically refers to the area of the forearm that is closest to the wrist, which consists of the two long bones known as the radius and ulna. An X-ray of both the radius and ulna will allow the physician to visualize any fractures that may have occurred in that specific region.

In this context, the examination of only the humerus would not reveal any issues in the distal forearm, as the humerus is located in the upper arm and thus does not provide relevant information. Similarly, while the carpals are the bones of the wrist, an X-ray of the carpals would not sufficiently demonstrate the condition of the forearm bones, which is crucial to diagnosing a fracture in that area. The scapula, being part of the shoulder girdle, is also not relevant to assessing the distal forearm and would not be useful in this scenario. Therefore, viewing an X-ray of the radius and ulna is essential for confirming a fracture in the distal forearm.