The other day, an odd conversation started at work. For whatever reason, a discussion regarding snake bites and their treatment was started, even though the likelihood of having to treat any of our residents for a snake bite is almost nonexistent. This brought up a coworker mentioning that they have kept rattlesnakes in the past and another one mentioning that they still have one. Both of them mentioned that they either had their own vial of antivenin available or lived close enough to a hospital that could treat a rattlesnake bite.
This got me thinking...how many other nurses keep dangerous venomous snakes as pets? What is your plan for if you get bitten?
Or, how many of you have been involved with treating snakebites? Have you ever had to educate a patient that maybe keeping a venomous snake is not the best idea?
Share stories regarding snake keeping and snake bite treatment
Davey Do
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