envenomation injuries

Question 1

first aid for snake bite

- dos and don’ts

Answer 1

• don’t wash the wound
• apply pressure bandage (start at wound site, then progress distal -> proximal covering joint
• immobilise affected limb and patient
• don’t remove bandage unless antivenom available and envenomation excluded

Question 2

investigations for a patient who has snake bite

Answer 2

INR, APTT
FBC, UEC
CK

Question 3

symptoms of a bluebottle or minor jellyfish sting (2)

Answer 3

• immediate local intense pain for 1-2 hours

- linear erythematous eruption

Question 4

symptoms of major box jellyfish sting (3)

Answer 4

• severe local pain
• erythematous eruption along lines of tentacle contact
• cardiovascular collapse and death

Question 5

symptoms of irukandji, other box jellyfish things

Answer 5

• delayed onset symptoms (20-30 minutes)
• generalised severe pain
• systemic effects (tachycardia, agitation, hypertension)
• cardiac injury, pulmonary oedema

Question 6

which jellyfish stings can be treated with vinegar initially

Answer 6

Major box jellyfish

irukandji, other box jellyfish

Question 7

which jellyfish stings should not be treated with vinegar

Answer 7

bluebottle jellyfish

other minor jellyfish

Question 8

first aid management of bluebottle jellyfish

Answer 8

• wash sting with seawater
• remove tentacles
• hot water immersion at 45C for 20 minutes

Question 9

which jellyfish sting is not associated with cardiopulmonary failure

Answer 9

bluebottle, other minor jellyfish

Question 10

first aid management of major box jellyfish, irukandji

Answer 10

• apply vinegar
• remove tentacles
• CPR if needed
• hospital transfer for analgesia, antivenom, cardiac monitoring