Mr. Mariano was on his way home from a party. Apparently, he got drunk and lost his balance and suffered a vehicular accident. Upon arrival at the hospital, the nurse noticed that his only injury is an open fracture of the left humerus. Which assessment finding by the nurse is critical?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: status of client’s tetanus immunization. It is critical because an open fracture poses a risk of infection, and tetanus prophylaxis is necessary to prevent tetanus infection. Tetanus is caused by a bacterium commonly found in soil and can enter the body through open wounds. Assessing the client's tetanus immunization status helps determine the need for a tetanus booster to prevent potential complications.
Incorrect choices:
B: Current blood alcohol level - While relevant to the situation, the priority in this case is preventing infection from the open fracture.
C: Support systems available at home to assist with care - Important for discharge planning but not the immediate priority.
D: Last time client voided - Not critical in this scenario compared to preventing infection from the open fracture.