A 35-year-old man is bitten on the lower leg by a suspected brown snake while hiking in rural Western Australia. He arrives at a small rural clinic 30...

Question

A 35-year-old man is bitten on the lower leg by a suspected brown snake while hiking in rural Western Australia. He arrives at a small rural clinic 30 minutes later. He is anxious but haemodynamically stable with no obvious neurological signs. According to Australian snakebite guidelines, what is the most appropriate immediate first aid/initial management step?

Accepted Answer

Apply a firm pressure immobilisation bandage to the entire limb and splint

Answer

Apply a tourniquet tightly above the bite

Answer

Incise and suck the wound to remove venom

Answer

Ask the patient to walk around to disperse venom

Answer

Wash the wound thoroughly with water to remove venom

au-amc MCQ (SBA): Australian snakebite first aid