A(n) _____ occurs when a great amount of force is applied to the body for a long period of time.

A crushing injury occurs when a significant amount of force is applied to the body for an extended duration, leading to extensive tissue damage. This type of injury often affects areas where the force is applied, causing both immediate and potentially long-lasting harm to the muscles, nerves, and blood vessels in the affected region.

In contrast, a contusion is typically the result of a blunt force impact causing bruising but does not necessarily imply prolonged pressure. A hematoma refers to a localized collection of blood outside of blood vessels, often resulting from broken capillaries, and may develop from contusions or other injuries but does not involve the same mechanism of prolonged force. An avulsion is the tearing away of a body part or tissue, which can occur in acute trauma scenarios but does not specify the sustained force found in crushing injuries. Thus, the definition of a crushing injury aligns precisely with the scenario described in the question.