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Bites and Stings

Terms in this set (13)

Four Types of Poisonous Snakes in the US
Rattlesnake
Cottonmouth
Copperhead
Coral snake
What are Symptoms of Snakebites?
- puncture wounds
- swelling
- pain
- weakness
- metallic taste (some types)
bites & stings
What is treatment for snakebites?
- ABC's - oxygen prn
- calm patient
- immobilize extremity ( splint)
- treat shock prn draw circle around bite & note time
- transport
- if possible safely ID snake

Notes:
- NO ICE
- NO INCISIONS (no cut & suck) - - No Constricting Band

California regulations include the use of a constricting band proximal to bite.
Symptoms of black widow bites=
- muscle cramps
- abdominal rigidity
- chest tightness & dyspnea
- very common spider
Symptoms of brown recluse bite
Treatment
- minimal pain
- local tissue reaction
- very rare spider

Treatment
- ABC's
- reassure patient
- immobilize affected extremities - - treat shock prn
- transport

- no ice
- if possible safely ID spider
Symptoms of Scorpion sting
Treatment
Symptoms:
1) muscle cramps
2) excessive salivation
3) seizures
4) shock
5) cardiac arrest

Treatment:
1) ABC's - high flow oxygen
2) reassure patient
3) treat shock prn
4) transport

no ice!
if possible safely ID scorpion
Tick Bites
Ticks attach themselves to the skin
-not painful
-commonly carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever or Lyme disease.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
develops 7 to 10 days after bite.

Symptoms
- Nausea, vomiting
- Headache
- Weakness
- Paralysis
- Possible cardiorespiratory collapse
Lyme Disease
The second fastest growing infectious disease next to AIDS in US

symptoms may begin 3 days after the bite. Symptoms include:

- Rash
- Painful swelling of the joints

Treatment
No hurry in removing tick
Use tweezers and pull tick straight out
Take tick with you for ID
Treat S/S prn
Position of comfort
Transport
Bee sting
local swelling
pain
edema

Treatment
ABC's
scrape out stinger
Monitor and treat for shock prn Ice is ok
transport
Marine animals
Coelenterates- Jellyfish, sea anemone, some corals

Nematocysts - stinging cells local reaction at site - painful, red
lesions

Rarely - shock (from anaphylaxis)
bites & stings

Treatment
ABC's - oxygen prn
treat for shock prn
limit movement
scrape off any remaining tentacles
inactivate with alcohol, meat tenderizer, or talcum powder

no ice
bites & stings

notes
Sting Ray sting
treat by soaking in warm water. Do not attempt to remove barb.
bites & stings
Review of Allergic Reactions
Allergic reaction
- Exaggerated immune response
to any substance

Histamines and leukotrienes
- Chemicals released by the immune system

Five General Allergen Categories
1) Insect bites and stings
2) Medications
3) Plants
4) Food
5) Chemicals
6) Animals
Anaphylaxis
Severe allergic reaction

Dyspnea, wheezing, stridor Urticaria (hives)
flushed skin
shock
respiratory arrest

Treatment
ABC's - high flow oxygen
administer epi-pen if indicated treat for shock prn
reassure
rapid transport
Dog Bites and Rabies
Rabies- an acute viral infection to the central nervous system
Can only be treated with a series of vaccine injections.
A bitten patient can avoid shots only if the dog can be identified and tested for rabies.
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