Question

A nurse is an emergency department is reviewing the provider's prescriptions for a client who sustained a rattlesnake bite to the lower leg. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse expect?

a. apply ice to the client's puncture wounds
b. initiate corticosteroid therapy for the client
c. keep the client's leg above the heart level
d. administer an opioid analgesic to the client

Answer 1

For a rattlesnake bite, the nurse should administer an opioid analgesic for pain management, as opioids are routinely used as painkillers. Other treatments like ice, corticosteroids, or elevation are not typically prescribed in this scenario.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the case of treating a client who has sustained a rattlesnake bite to the lower leg, the nurse should expect to administer an opioid analgesic to the client. This is because opioids are used routinely as painkillers, which can help manage the severe pain associated with snake bites. It's important to note that applying ice, initiating corticosteroid therapy, or keeping the leg above the heart level are not standard treatments for a rattlesnake bite, as they may not address the immediate needs of pain management or may even be counterproductive.