What immunization should a nurse expect to administer to a 16-year-old who has not received one in 10 years?

The choice of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) is particularly relevant for a 16-year-old who has not received an immunization in the past decade. The Tdap booster is recommended for adolescents at ages 11-12 years and is emphasized every 10 years thereafter to ensure continued protection against these serious diseases. Since the question specifies that the individual has not received an immunization in 10 years, the administration of the Tdap booster at this age is crucial to maintain immunity.

MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) is typically administered earlier in childhood, with the second dose given at 4-6 years, and there is usually no need for a booster at this age unless there are specific health circumstances involved. Hepatitis B vaccinations are usually completed in infancy and early childhood, with no required boosters in adolescence if the series was completed. Varicella (chickenpox) also follows a similar schedule, with vaccinations happening in earlier childhood and specific catch-up recommendations for those who did not receive it initially.

Thus, the focus on Tdap as the necessary immunization for a 16-year-old who has gone a decade without a dose reflects the imperative nature of maintaining