First aid for animal bite includes all except?

Hariyana-CHO-2021

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Medium

Appeared in: Hariyana-CHO-2021

Explanation

Immediate suturing (stitching) of animal bite wounds is contraindicated as a first aid measure.
Closing the wound traps bacteria (like Pasteurella, Staphylococcus) and potentially the rabies virus deep within the tissue.
This action significantly increases the risk of severe wound infection, abscess formation, and failure of post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies.
If closure is required for cosmetic or functional reasons, it is typically delayed for several days (delayed primary closure) after thorough cleaning and initiation of antibiotic and rabies prophylaxis.

Option A: This is a cornerstone of animal bite management. Immediate, thorough wound cleaning with soap and water for at least 15 minutes is the most critical first step to reduce pathogen load. Tetanus prophylaxis is also a standard procedure to prevent tetanus infection.
Option B: This is a correct intervention for high-risk bites. Prophylactic antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin-clavulanate) are recommended for moderate-to-severe injuries, deep puncture wounds, bites on hands/face/genitals, or for immunocompromised patients to prevent bacterial infection.
Option C: This is a life-saving and correct intervention. Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) must be initiated as soon as possible after a potential exposure (Category II or III bites) to prevent the development of fatal rabies infection.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain First aid management of animal bites and contraindications as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's primary role is to perform immediate and correct wound care and to assess the need for tetanus, rabies, and antibiotic prophylaxis, which can be life-saving.
Patient education is critical: advise patients not to allow wounds to be sutured immediately and to observe the biting animal (if possible and safe) for 10 days for signs of rabies.
What if? If the bite was a superficial scratch from a known, healthy, and fully vaccinated domestic pet, rabies PEP might be deferred pending observation of the animal, but thorough wound cleaning and tetanus status assessment are still mandatory. Stitching would still be avoided initially.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it asks for the action that is NOT part of the standard first aid for an animal bite, indicated by the word 'except'.
Evaluate each option against established protocols for wound management and infection prevention.
Option A: Wound cleaning and tetanus shots are fundamental to preventing infection. This is a correct action.
Option B: Antibiotics are used prophylactically for high-risk bites. This is a plausible and often correct action.
Option C: Rabies PEP is a critical, life-saving intervention for potential exposures. This is a correct action.
Option D: Consider the risk of sealing in infection. Suturing a contaminated wound immediately is a well-known contraindication in emergency medicine. This is the most likely exception.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 2271-2273

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1185-1187