When considering a snake bite, which action should you avoid?

When considering a snake bite, which action should you avoid?

• A. Apply tight bandage and splint
• B. Wash bitten area
• C. Reassure victim
• D. Take patient to hospital

Answer: (B)

Focus on slowing venom spread and getting the patient to definitive care quickly. Washing the bitten area is not advised because it doesn’t improve the situation and can waste valuable time that should be spent on immobilizing the limb and getting to a hospital. The priority steps are to keep the person calm, immobilize the affected limb (often with a splint and a firm bandage if appropriate in your guidelines), and transport to a medical facility for antivenom and monitoring. Reassuring the victim and taking them to hospital are both appropriate, immediate actions, and the bandage-splint approach helps limit venom spread during transport.

Focus on slowing venom spread and getting the patient to definitive care quickly. Washing the bitten area is not advised because it doesn’t improve the situation and can waste valuable time that should be spent on immobilizing the limb and getting to a hospital. The priority steps are to keep the person calm, immobilize the affected limb (often with a splint and a firm bandage if appropriate in your guidelines), and transport to a medical facility for antivenom and monitoring. Reassuring the victim and taking them to hospital are both appropriate, immediate actions, and the bandage-splint approach helps limit venom spread during transport.