Ch. 3 Toxicology Arthropods

Question 1

Signs and symptoms of a Widow Spider bite

Answer 1

1. red itchy area around initially painless bite
2. pain and anxiety 10-60 min post bite
3. muscular cramping, starting at wound. localizing in back of abdomen.
4. burning and numbness in the feet
5. headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and heavy sweating

Question 2

treatment principles for Black Widow bites

Answer 2

1. clean the ice the bite site
2. consider pain management
3. evacuate

Question 3

Signs and symptoms of Brown Recluse bite

Answer 3

1. red blister appears 1-5 hours after initial painless bite
2. blister begins to develop into a non-healing wound
3. fever, chills, generalized rash and weakness may develop

Question 4

treatment principles for Brown Recluse bite

Answer 4

1. clean the bite site
2. monitor bite site for necrosis
3. evacuate if symptoms become systemic or wound will not heal

Question 5

signs and symptoms of a scorpion sting

Answer 5

1. immediate pain increased by tapping
2. localized swelling and redness
3. numbness and tingling at the sting site
4. nausea, vomiting and incontinence
5. slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, blurred vision, seizures
6. respiratory or cardiovascular involvement

Question 6

treatment principles for a scorpion sting

Answer 6

1. clean the wound
2. ice or cool with water
3. evacuate if the patient has signs and symptoms of envenomation

Question 7

Signs and symptoms of a bee sting

Answer 7

1. immediate pain
2. redness and swelling
3. itching
4. local swelling and hives (mild to moderate)
5. anaphylaxis (severe)

Question 8

signs and symptoms of fire ant stings

Answer 8

1. painful burning sensation from the sting
2. swelling that forms a white pustule - risk of becoming infected if scratched. will resolve on their own in a few days
3. possible allergic response

Question 9

Treatment principles of fire ant stings

Answer 9

1. remove the stinger if present
2. use ice packs for pain and swelling
3. monitor for signs of allergic response
4. treat mild to moderate reactions with an oral antihistamine
5. monitor and treat anaphylaxis as necessary

Question 10

signs and symptoms of a tick bite

Answer 10

1. fever
2. muscle aches
3. rash
4. fatigue
5. joint pain (lyme disease)

Question 11

Prevention of tick bites

Answer 11

1. perform tick checks twice daily
2. wear light colored long pants and shirt while traveling in tick country
3. consider using deet and permethrin to repel ticks from clothing
4. remove all ticks immediately by grasping them close to the skin with needle-nose tweezers and pulling gently, steady TIL
5. wash bite site and monitor for signs and symptoms of infection.

Question 12

evacuation guidelines for tick bites

Answer 12

evacuate any patient with history of embedded tick who developed fever, rash or flu-like symptoms