A nurse is assessing a client suspected of having localized tetanus. Which statement made by the client is characteristic of this type of tetanus?

Choice A rationale:

The correct statement indicates the need for a tetanus booster every 10 years during adulthood. This aligns with current guidelines as the immunity from tetanus vaccination can wane over time, necessitating booster doses.

Choice B rationale:

The correct statement explains that tetanus can be prevented by proper wound care and keeping the wound clean. This is accurate because tetanus spores are commonly found in soil and can enter the body through contaminated wounds, making wound care crucial for prevention.

Choice C rationale:

The correct statement indicates a need for further teaching as it is incorrect. Tetanus is not transmitted through respiratory droplets. Tetanus is caused by the Clostridium tetani bacterium found in the environment, especially in soil, and it enters the body through wounds, not through respiratory secretions.

Choice D rationale:

The correct statement highlights that tetanus is more common in developing countries due to lower immunization rates. This is accurate since immunization plays a significant role in preventing tetanus, and lower vaccination rates in some regions contribute to higher disease incidence.

Choice A rationale:

The statement "I have difficulty opening my mouth due to muscle spasms" is characteristic of localized tetanus. In localized tetanus, muscle spasms are limited to the area near the site of infection or injury, and in this case, it affects the muscles around the mouth, leading to trismus or lockjaw.

Choice B rationale:

Involuntary laughter during muscle spasms is not characteristic of localized tetanus. It is not a typical sign or symptom of the condition.

Choice C rationale:

Arching of the back and difficulty breathing are characteristic signs of generalized tetanus, not localized tetanus. Generalized tetanus involves widespread muscle spasms, including those of the respiratory muscles.

Choice D rationale:

Facial muscle paralysis and slurred speech are not characteristic of localized tetanus. These symptoms are more commonly seen in conditions affecting the cranial nerves or other neurological disorders.