Aldrische Tyronne T.

Jingco BSN 3D
ROT 5

HEALTH TEACHING PLAN

Learning needs: Prevention of Tetanus
Purpose: To improve client’s knowledge related to Tetanus
Goals: The client will have the basic knowledge and prevention of Tetanus Infection at the end of the discussion.

Learning Objectives Content Outline Methods of Time Resource Method of

Teaching allotment Evaluation
At the end of 20 minutes of teaching, the client will be able to know the following:

1. Have a good Tetanus is an infection caused by a bacterium called Face-to- 5 mins Pamphlet/ Active
understanding of Clostridium tetani. Spores of tetanus bacteria are everywhere Face Infographics participation
Tetanus in the environment, including soil, dust, and manure. The discussion during discussion
spores develop into bacteria when they enter the body.
Unlike other vaccine-preventable diseases, tetanus is not
spread from person to person.

2. Common ways The spores can get into someone’s body through broken skin, Face-to- 5 mins Pamphlet/ Active
tetanus gets into the usually through injuries. Tetanus bacteria are more likely to Face Infographics participation
body infect certain breaks in the skin. These include: discussion during discussion
 Wounds contaminated with dirt, feces (poop), or
saliva (spit)
 Puncture wounds (wounds caused by an object, like a
nail or needle, breaking the skin)
 Burns
 Crush injuries (injury to a body part due to pressure
from another object or being squeezed between two
heavy objects)
 Injuries with dead tissue

Tetanus bacteria can also infect someone’s body through

breaks in the skin caused by:
 Clean superficial wounds (when only the topmost
layer of skin is scraped off)
 Surgical procedures
 Insect bites
 Dental infections
 Aldrische Tyronne T. Jingco BSN 3D
ROT 5

 Compound fractures (an exposed broken bone)

 Chronic sores and infections
 Intravenous (IV) drug use
 Intramuscular injections (shots given in a muscle)

3. Symptoms and People often call tetanus “lockjaw” because one of the most Face-to- 5 mins Pamphlet/ Active
complications of common signs of this infection is tightening of the jaw Face Infographics participation
Tetanus muscles. Tetanus infection can lead to serious health discussion during discussion
problems, including being unable to open the mouth and
having trouble swallowing and breathing.

Symptoms of tetanus include:

 Jaw cramping
 Sudden, involuntary muscle spasms — often in the
stomach
 Painful muscle stiffness all over the body
 Trouble swallowing
 Seizures (jerking or staring)
 Headache
 Fever and sweating
 Changes in blood pressure and heart rate

Serious health problems that can happen because of tetanus

include:
 Laryngospasm (uncontrolled/involuntary tightening
of the vocal cords)
 Fractures (broken bones)
 Pulmonary embolism (blockage of the main artery of
the lung or one of its branches by a blood clot that
has travelled from elsewhere in the body through the
bloodstream)
 Aspiration pneumonia (a lung infection that develops
when things like saliva or vomit accidentally go into
the lungs)
 Breathing difficulty
4. Prevention of Tetanus can lead to death (1 to 2 in 10 cases are fatal).
 Aldrische Tyronne T. Jingco BSN 3D
ROT 5

Tetanus Vaccination Face-to- 5 mins Pamphlet/ Active

Being up to date with tetanus vaccination is the best tool to Face Infographics participation
prevent tetanus. Protection from vaccines, as well as a prior discussion during discussion
infection, do not last a lifetime. This means people who had
tetanus or got vaccinated before still need to get vaccinated
regularly to keep a high level of protection against this
serious disease. CDC recommends tetanus vaccines for
people of all ages, with booster shots throughout life.

Good wound care

Immediate and good wound care can also help prevent
infection.
 Apply first aid to even minor, non-infected wounds
like blisters, scrapes, or any break in the skin.
 Wash hands often with soap and water or use an
alcohol-based hand rub if washing is not possible.
 Consult your doctor if you have concerns and need
further advice.

Medicine
Doctors may use a type of medicine called human tetanus
immune globulin (TIG) for someone who has an unclean
wound and is not up to date with their tetanus vaccination.
These medicines provide immediate protection from the type
of bacteria that causes tetanus, but it is not long lasting.

Reference:
https://www.cdc.gov/tetanus/about/prevention.html