(ATI/HESI from external source):A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with tetanus. The client asks the nurse, "What is the most common type of tetanus?" How should the nurse respond?

Choice A rationale:

Tetanus is not commonly transmitted from person to person. Instead, it is usually acquired through the introduction of the Clostridium tetani bacterium into a wound, where it can produce the neurotoxin tetanospasmin.

Choice B rationale:

Tetanus is not effectively treated with antibiotics alone. Antibiotics can help control the infection caused by Clostridium tetani, but the primary treatment involves providing tetanus antitoxin to neutralize the neurotoxin already present in the body.

Choice C rationale:

Booster doses of tetanus vaccine are not recommended every 5 years. The standard recommendation is to receive a tetanus booster every 10 years to maintain protection against the disease.

Choice A rationale:

The statement "Localized tetanus, affecting muscles near the site of infection" is incorrect. Localized tetanus involves muscle spasms near the site of infection, but it is not the most common type of tetanus.

Choice B rationale:

The statement "Generalized tetanus, affecting all skeletal muscles" is correct. Generalized tetanus is the most common type of tetanus and affects all skeletal muscles, leading to widespread muscle spasms and rigidity.

Choice C rationale:

The statement "Cephalic tetanus, affecting only the cranial nerves" is not the most common type of tetanus. Cephalic tetanus is a rare form that involves cranial nerve dysfunction.

Choice D rationale:

The statement "Neonatal tetanus, affecting infants born to non-immunized mothers" is not the most common type of tetanus. Neonatal tetanus occurs in newborns born to inadequately immunized mothers and is also relatively rare compared to generalized tetanus in adults.