Tetanus
Classify wounds as tetanus prone or not. Tetanus-prone wounds are deep (incl puncture), dirty (dirt, soil, feces, saliva), devitalized, burns, frostbite, crush injuries or older than 6 hours. About 60 cases of tetanus occur in the United States per year, mostly in elderly patients whose immunity has waned.
Quiz yourself: classify patients by poorly or well immunized, then by dirty or clean wound.
If poorly immunized (tetanus status unknown or 2 or fewer tetanus vaccines)
If well immunized (patient has 3 or more tetanus vaccines)
*Active immunization: In children 7 or younger give diphtheria, pertussis,
and tetanus (DTaP). In children 8 or older, give dT as booster.
**Passive immunization is tetanus immune globulin (TIG)
Up to date as of 10/2005