Deck 23: Bites and Stings

Question 1

Most poisonous snakes have which one of the following characteristics?

A) round pupils
B) large fangs
C) an oval-shaped head
D) small triangular scales

Answer 1

large fangs

Question 2

The severity of a snakebite is gauged by:

A) the size of the snake.
B) how deep the fangs are injected.
C) how rapidly symptoms develop.
D) how recently the victim has eaten.

Answer 2

how rapidly symptoms develop.

Question 3

The pain from a pit viper bite can be described as:

A) burning.
B) dull.
C) shooting.
D) sharp.

Answer 3

burning.

Question 4

As a general rule, you can safely assume that the victim has not been poisoned by a pit viper bite if pain does not develop within:

A) 10 minutes.
B) 1 hour.
C) 6 to 8 hours.
D) 24 hours.

Question 5

All of the following are factors that can determine the severity of a snakebite except:

A) the location of the bite.
B) the size and weight of the victim.
C) the general health and condition of the victim.
D) whether or not the victim is taking anti-coagulate drugs.

Question 6

All of the following are signs and symptoms of a pit viper bite except:

A) immediate and severe burning pain.
B) swelling around the fang marks.
C) a red rash over the entire body.
D) two distinct fang marks.

Question 7

Which one of the following signs and symptoms is characteristic of a coral snake bite?

A) purplish discoloration around the bite
B) blurred vision and drooping eyelids
C) severe pain and swelling around the bitten area
D) two distinct fang marks

Question 8

The signs and symptoms of a coral snake bite usually occur:

A) immediately.
B) within 20 minutes after the bite.
C) between 1 and 8 hours after the bite.
D) within 24 hours.

Question 9

The bite from a coral snake is usually:

A) shallow and slanted.
B) deep and slanted.
C) a semicircle pattern.
D) horseshoe-shaped.

Question 10

Which one of the following signs or symptoms of an insect bite or sting requires medical help?

A) itching, lasting longer than 3 days
B) The insect had a "reddish" tone to its head.
C) Signs of an allergic reaction develop.
D) pain or tenderness at and surrounding the bite

Question 11

The crimson red marking that characterizes a black widow spider is shaped like:

A) a star.
B) two dots.
C) an hourglass.
D) an "X."

Question 12

All of the following might be a sign or symptom of a black widow spider bite except:

A) fever and chills.
B) blood-filled blister under the skin (near the bite).
C) nausea and vomiting.
D) small red fang marks.

Question 13

The bite of the brown recluse spider includes all of the following except:

A) it is a serious medical condition.
B) it does not heal.
C) it requires surgical repair.
D) it is obvious by the small red fang marks.

Question 14

Within 7 to 10 days, the bite of a brown recluse spider:

A) disappears.
B) becomes a large ulcer.
C) starts to itch unbearably.
D) becomes bluish in color.

Question 15

Ninety percent of all scorpion bites occur on the:

A) hands.
B) feet.
C) head or face.
D) legs.

Question 16

The severity of a scorpion sting depends on:

A) how deep it is.
B) how soon symptoms appear.
C) the amount of venom injected.
D) the size of the wound.

Question 17

In cases of severe reaction to a scorpion sting, the victim will experience which of the following?

A) a high fever and sharp pain
B) abdominal cramping and numbness
C) poor coordination and incontinence
D) shortness of breath and localized swelling

Question 18

The only appropriate first aid care for a tick bite is:

A) a cold compress.
B) to give the victim lots of fluids.
C) prompt removal of the tick.
D) to clean and sanitize around the area.

Question 19

General signs and symptoms that apply to all insect bites and stings include all of the following except:

A) a blood-filled blister under the skin (near the bite).
B) pain or tenderness at the site.
C) redness at the site.
D) a mark at the site

Question 20

Which of the following leave the stinger behind and therefore can sting only once?

A) wasps
B) hornets
C) honeybees
D) yellow jacket

Question 21

Which of the following can repeatedly sting you?

A) honeybee
B) wasp
C) tick
D) praying mantis

Question 22

While retrieving some wood from a pile outside, you feel a sharp pinprick pain to the back of your hand. There are small red fang marks. You have probably been bitten by a:

A) tick.
B) grass snake.
C) honeybee.
D) black widow spider.

Question 23

You receive a jellyfish sting to your arm. You should apply:

A) meat tenderizer to the sting.
B) woodworking glue to the sting.
C) vinegar to the sting.
D) ice to the sting.

Question 24

An important difference between marine animal bites and land animal bites is that:

A) the venom of marine life may cause more extensive tissue damage.
B) signs and symptoms of marine animal bites progress much more rapidly.
C) marine animal bites produce permanent damage.
D) all marine bites cause immediate respiratory distress.

Question 25

To which one of the following should you apply a cold compress?

A) an insect sting
B) a rattlesnake bite
C) a marine animal injury
D) a coral snake bite

Question 26

When caring for a bite or sting, the injection site should be:

A) elevated slightly.
B) even with the victim's heart.
C) elevated at least 12 inches.
D) below the level of the victim's heart.

Question 27

For a poisonous snakebite, first aid care includes:

A) cutting the skin.
B) applying ice.
C) using electric shock.
D) washing the bite with soap and water.

Question 28

Which of the following should be used for removing a tick?

A) tweezers
B) a hot match
C) petroleum jelly
D) rubbing alcohol

Question 29

General first aid care for a bee sting includes:

A) apply a paste of baking soda and water.
B) apply a heat pack.
C) rinse with ammonia.
D) scrub out the stinger.

Question 30

The coral snake is a poisonous snake, but does not have the usual fangs or a pit.

Question 31

The location of a snakebite influences its severity because fatty tissue absorbs venom more rapidly than muscle tissue.

Question 32

A minty, metallic, or rubbery taste in the mouth is a sign or symptom of a pit viper bite.

Question 33

Be aware that pit vipers can still bite for a time after they are dead (usually about 20 minutes).

Question 34

The "hobo"
spider is another name for the female black widow.

Question 35

Black widow spider bites are the leading cause of death from spider bites in the United States.

Question 36

Most brown recluse spider bite victims are unaware they have been bitten because the bite is often painless at first.

Question 37

The bite of the black widow spider is especially serious because the bite does not heal and requires surgical repair.

Question 38

Tick bites are serious because they may transmit meningitis.

Question 39

Anaphylactic shock from insect stings may cause death within minutes.

Question 40

A giant desert centipede bite is dangerous to humans.

Question 41

If bitten by a deer tick, you may contract Lyme disease, a bacterial infection.

Question 42

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is contracted by centipede bites.

Question 43

A rattlesnake bite can be treated with suction and ice to the bite site.

Question 44

If you apply ice to a pit viper wound, the venom will be absorbed more rapidly.

Question 45

You should encourage a victim to move around after a bite or sting to keep the joints from stiffening.

Question 46

Marine-life venom is destroyed by heat rather than cold.

Question 47

The signs and symptoms of a pit viper bite occur almost immediately; those of a coral snake may be delayed by as long as 8 hours.