Ch. 3 toxicology Marine

Question 1

Sign and symptoms Marine spine envenomation

Answer 1

1. local discoloration, cyanosis, laceration or puncture wound
2. numbness, tingling, intense local pain
3. nausea and vomiting
4. in serious envenomations:
   - paralysis
   - respiratory distress
   - Heart rhythm irregularities
   - shock

Question 2

treatment principles for marine spine envenomation

Answer 2

1. manage severe bleeding
2. manage pain
3. immerse the injury in hot water for 30-90 minutes until the pain is gone
4. clean the wound
5. use tweezers or fingers with gloves to remove imbedded spines if possible
6. leave in place and evacuate if the spine is hard to remove
7. monitor for infection and complications

Question 3

MILD: Nematocyst (jelly fish, etc) envenomation signs and symptoms

Answer 3

1. painful local swelling, redness
2. a stinging, prickling sensation, progressing to numbness, itching, burning and throbbing pain
3. mild to severe unbearable pain radiating from extremities
4. reddish-brownish-purple color at the contact site with a linear pattern marked by swelling

Question 4

SEVERE: Nematocyst (jelly fish, etc) envenomation signs and symptoms

Answer 4

1. all of the above
2. headaches
3. abdominal cramps,
4. nausea and vomiting
5. muscle paralysis
6. respiratory and/or cardiac distress

Question 5

treatment principles for nematocyst envenomation

Answer 5

1. protect yourself, rescuer injury is common both in the water and when removing nematocysts on shore
2. if gloves are not available, finger pads will usually receive a small, harmless pricking sensation
3. pick off obvious nematocysts. do not scrape or rub, as it could release more venom
4. deactivate nematocysts
5. remove remaining visible tentacles with tweezers
6. control pain with cold packs and allergenics
7. evacuate if pain persists, the rash worsens, a feeling of overall illness develops or red streak develops between swollen lymph nodes and the sting or if the area becomes red, warm and tender