Question 1

When attempting to identify a snake, the Paramedic should not attempt to capture the snake or transport it to the emergency department even if the snake is thought to be dead.

Accepted Answer

Paramedics are not trained to handle or identify snakes, and attempting to capture or transport a potentially dangerous snake can put both the paramedic and others in danger. It is better to inform the appropriate authorities, such as animal control or a pest control specialist, to handle the situation.

Question 2

Prior antivenin use is a contraindication of future antivenin use.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Prior antivenin use is not necessarily a contraindication for future antivenin use. In some cases, a patient may require multiple doses of antivenin if they continue to exhibit symptoms or if they are reexposed to the venomous animal. The decision to administer antivenin should be made on a case-by-case basis by a qualified healthcare provider.

Question 3

The venom of a black widow spider is very potent, more so than that of a pit viper on a volume-to-volume basis.

Accepted Answer

The venom of a black widow spider is indeed very potent, and on a volume-to-volume basis is considered more potent than the venom of a pit viper.

Question 4

Airway compromise is a common effect of snakebite envenomation.

Accepted Answer

Snakebite envenomation typically leads to symptoms such as pain, swelling, and tissue damage at the bite site, or systemic effects like bleeding disorders, neurotoxicity, or kidney damage, depending on the snake species. Airway compromise is not a common direct effect but could occur in rare cases due to severe swelling or anaphylactic reactions.

Question 5

The brown recluse spider injects a very large amount of venom.

Accepted Answer

Although the venom of the brown recluse spider is potent, it actually injects a very small amount of venom compared to other venomous spiders. However, the venom can still cause serious harm and medical attention should be sought if bitten.

Question 6

The ____ family of snakes includes coral snakes, mostly found in the southeastern United States.

Accepted Answer

The family Elapidae includes venomous snakes such as cobras and coral snakes. The other choices do not include coral snakes. Cnidaria is not a family of snakes, but a phylum of animals that includes jellyfish and coral.

Question 7

Coral snakes have red, yellow, and ____ banding that runs along their body.

Accepted Answer

Coral snakes are known for their distinctive color pattern of red, yellow, and black bands. This pattern is a form of aposematic coloration, warning potential predators of their venomous nature.

Question 8

____ have the longest fangs of the pit vipers, with some reaching three to four centimeters in length.

Accepted Answer

Rattlesnakes have the longest fangs of the pit vipers, with some reaching three to four centimeters in length.

Question 9

Death from Hymenoptera stings usually results from ____.

Accepted Answer

Death from Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants, etc.) stings most commonly results from an allergic reaction, which can range from mild to severe anaphylaxis. While infection can occur from the sting, it is not a common cause of death. Venom and septic shock can also contribute to the severity of the reaction, but the allergic response is usually the primary cause of fatality.

Question 10

A sting from which of the following would cause the most adverse reaction?

Accepted Answer

Hornet stings are generally more painful and can cause more severe reactions compared to stings from carpenter ants, honey bees, or fire ants due to the larger amount of venom injected.

Question 11

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a venomous snake?

Accepted Answer

Venomous snakes typically have a single row of scales on the underside of their tails, not a double row. The double row of scales is more characteristic of non-venomous snakes.

Question 12

The fangs of the coral snake are larger than those of the pit viper.

Accepted Answer

Coral snakes have relatively small, fixed fangs, whereas pit vipers have larger, hinged fangs that they can extend to inject venom into their prey.

Question 13

No deaths have been confirmed from direct venom effects of the stingray.

Accepted Answer

While stingray stings can cause intense pain and tissue damage, there have been no confirmed deaths from the venom itself. Most stingray-related fatalities occur due to complications from the wound, such as infection or damage to vital organs.

Question 14

The ____ group of snakes includes rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads.

Accepted Answer

Rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads are all venomous snakes and members of the Viperidae family. Elapidae includes cobras, coral snakes, and sea snakes. Cnidaria includes jellyfish and sea anemones. Formicidae includes ants.

Question 15

The ____ family consists of the nonvenomous snakes in the United States.

Accepted Answer

The family Colubridae consists of nonvenomous snakes, including many species found in the United States. Elapidae and Crotalinae both include venomous snakes, and Formicidae includes ants, not snakes.

Question 16

The brown recluse spider has a brown ____-shaped marking on the dorsum of its body.

Accepted Answer

The brown recluse spider is known for its violin-shaped marking on the dorsum of its body.

Question 17

There is no specific prehospital treatment for arthropod envenomation.

Accepted Answer

There is no specific prehospital treatment for arthropod envenomation because the type of venom and the severity of the reaction can vary widely, and there is no single treatment that is effective for all cases.

Question 18

Mortality from snakebite in the United States is high.

Accepted Answer

Mortality from snakebite in the United States is relatively low, with an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 venomous snakebites reported annually and only 5 deaths or fewer per year.

Question 19

Female L. Mactan black widow spiders have a(n) ____ marking on their ventral surface.

Accepted Answer

Female L. Mactan black widow spiders have an hourglass marking on their ventral surface.

Question 20

Hymenoptera stings cause more deaths in the United States than any other envenomation.

Accepted Answer

Hymenoptera stings, which include bees, wasps, and ants, cause the most deaths from envenomation in the United States.

Quiz 16: Envenomation