Your patient is an 18-year-old man who stepped on a nail in the barnyard. The nail penetrated his tennis shoe and punctured his foot. On your arrival, the patient has removed the nail and the shoe. The wound is about 2 mm in diameter with minor bleeding that has been controlled. The skin around the wound is red. The patient does not want to be transported but asks if you can give him "some ointment and a Band-Aid." You should explain to the patient that this type of injury is associated with an increased risk of:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Puncture wounds, especially those caused by dirty objects like nails, are at a high risk for infection due to the introduction of bacteria deep into the tissue. Despite the small size of the wound, it is important for the patient to seek medical attention to prevent complications such as tetanus or a more serious infection. A Band-Aid and ointment alone will not suffice as proper wound care.

Your Patient Is an 18-Year-Old Man Who Stepped on a Nail