AST Surgical Technologist Practice Exam

Which bacteria could be found in a penetrating wound caused by a rusty nail?

1. Staphylococcus

2. Vocal fold

3. Tetanus

4. Clostridium

The correct answer is: Tetanus

A penetrating wound caused by a rusty nail is particularly associated with the bacterium that causes tetanus. When a person steps on a rusty nail, the nail can introduce dirt, feces, or saliva into the wound, all of which can contain Clostridium tetani spores. These spores thrive in anaerobic conditions, such as those often found in deep puncture wounds where there is limited oxygen. Tetanus manifested from this organism is characterized by muscle stiffness and spasms, which make it critical to recognize this risk with injuries sustained from objects like rusty nails. While Staphylococcus is a more common bacterium involved in a variety of infections, it is not specifically linked to the tetanus infection that occurs from a penetrating injury. The term "vocal fold" does not refer to any bacterial infection and is therefore unrelated. Clostridium, although it is a genus that includes Clostridium tetani which causes tetanus, the context of the question focuses directly on tetanus as the specific danger associated with a rusty nail injury rather than a non-specific infection potential.