Raj. CHO -2024: Which of the following is not correct for the first aid of Snake bite (Snake bite)?

Raj. CHO -2024

Nursing Foundation

Easy

Appeared in: Raj. CHO -2024

Explanation

Finding a snake charmer is an unscientific and dangerous practice that is not a part of correct first aid.
This action critically delays transport to a medical facility, which is the most important step in managing a snake bite.
Traditional remedies are ineffective against snake venom and relying on them can lead to severe complications or death.

Option A: This is a correct and essential first aid measure. Immediate transport to a hospital is the highest priority to ensure the patient receives definitive medical care, including antivenom if required.
Option B: This is a correct first aid measure. Reassuring the patient helps to keep them calm, which can slow down their heart rate and reduce the speed at which venom circulates through the body. Many bites are from non-venomous snakes or are 'dry bites' with no venom injected.
Option D: This is a correct first aid measure. Immobilizing the bitten limb, as one would for a fracture, helps to slow the spread of venom from the bite site into the systemic circulation via the lymphatic system.

Visual 1: Infographic: Do's and Don'ts of Snake Bite First Aid. This visual can quickly summarize the correct actions (reassure, immobilize, transport) and the harmful actions to avoid (cutting, sucking, tourniquets, traditional remedies).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain First Aid for Snake Bite as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's primary role in the emergency department for a snake bite victim is to rapidly assess Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (ABCs), establish IV access, and prepare for potential antivenom administration.
Continuous monitoring of vital signs, the bite site for swelling, and for systemic signs of envenomation (e.g., bleeding, neurotoxicity) is crucial.
What if? If a patient arrives with a tight tourniquet applied in the field, the nurse should not immediately remove it. The team must first establish IV access and have antivenom ready at the bedside, as removing the tourniquet can cause a sudden, massive systemic release of venom, leading to shock or respiratory arrest.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative framing of the question with the keyword 'not correct'. This means you are looking for the option that represents a harmful or incorrect action.
Recall the standard first-aid principles for snake bites. A helpful mnemonic is R.I.G.H.T. (Reassure, Immobilize, Get to Hospital, Tell the doctor).
Evaluate each option against these principles.
Option A (Transport), Option B (Reassure), and Option D (Immobilize) are all core components of correct first aid.
Option C (Finding a snake charmer) is a traditional practice that directly contradicts the principle of seeking immediate medical help.
Conclude that seeking a snake charmer is the incorrect action, making it the correct answer to this negatively framed question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Potter & Perry Fundamentals of Nursing 9th Edition — Part 1 p. 223-253