Question

What prescription should the nurse expect for a client with a rattlesnake bite?

a) Apply ice to puncture wounds
b) Administer an opioid analgesic
c) Initiate corticosteroid therapy
d) Keep leg above heart level

Answer 1

For a rattlesnake bite, a nurse should expect to administer an opioid analgesic for pain management and keep the affected limb above heart level to slow the spread of venom. Ice and corticosteroids are not standard treatments.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a client with a rattlesnake bite, the appropriate medical treatment would depend on the severity and symptoms of the bite. Generally, the nurse should expect to administer an opioid analgesic to manage the pain. Opioid analgesics are commonly used as painkillers and may help to calm the patient and control the pain associated with the bite. While the venom from certain snakes, like the Brazilian viper, can cause a massive drop in blood pressure leading to the development of medical treatments, rattlesnake venom typically causes swelling, tissue damage, and pain rather than directly affecting blood pressure. Hence, the focus of the treatment is often on pain relief and monitoring for any adverse reactions rather than lowering blood pressure.

Therefore, keeping the affected limb above heart level is also advised to slow the spread of venom. Treatments such as applying ice to puncture wounds or initiating corticosteroid therapy are not standard protocols and may not be recommended for snake bites. The priority is to stabilize the patient and provide pain relief while preparing for antivenom administration if necessary.