Author Question: A patient is brought to the emergency department after being bitten by a rattlesnake. The nurse asks ... (Read 136 times)

MirandaLo · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient is brought to the emergency department after being bitten by a rattlesnake. The nurse asks the patient to describe the snake that bit him. Why would the nurse ask this question?

A) Antivenin is very specific for antigens to which they can respond.
B) Antivenin can only respond to cells that have not been attacked by the venom.
C) Antivenin only responds to a specific group of spiders or snakes.
D) Antivenin is very non-specific about a class of snakes or spiders.

Question 2

An type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic reports recurrent hypoglycemia late in the morning. After collecting his health history what finding would the nurse suspect is causing the late morning hypoglycemia?

A) The patient likes to nap after work before his evening meal.
B) The patient jogs 2 miles in the morning before he goes to work.
C) The patient likes to have an early lunch with his girlfriend.
D) The patient eats oatmeal early in the morning for breakfast.

lauravaras · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
Feedback:
The term antivenin is used to refer to immune sera that have antibodies to venom that might be injected through spider or snake bites. These drugs are used to provide early treatment following exposure to known antigens. They are very specific for antigens to which they can respond. Therefore, options B, C, and D are incorrect.

Answer to Question 2

B
Feedback:
Physical exercise, such as jogging, changes insulin requirements and may result in a delayed hypoglycemic reaction. The fact that he likes to nap before dinner and has an early lunch is unrelated to his hypoglycemia. The patient eating oatmeal early in the morning would help stabilize his blood sugars until later in the morning, but the jogging would have a dramatic effect.