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Art & science | poisoning

Effects of snake envenomation:


a guide for emergency nurses
Stephen McGhee and colleagues explain how practitioners should
care for people bitten by snakes, including those not native to the
UK, and how to recognise the effects of different forms of venom
Correspondence
been bitten can experience long periods of pain and
stephenmcghee@health.usf.edu Abstract
distress (Warrell 2005).
Stephen McGhee is a clinical Only one species of venomous snake, the adder, Although the adder is the only venomous
instructor at the University of
South Florida College of Nursing,
is indigenous to the UK, but many people keep snake indigenous to the UK, many pet enthusiasts
Tampa, Florida, United States venomous snakes as pets and others travel to places, keep snakes that pose a risk of life-threatening
such as the United States, where a wider variety of envenomation (Persson 2001). Significant
Alan Finnegan is Ministry of
Defence professor of nursing
venomous snakes can be found. Emergency nurses envenomation by any of these snakes is considered a
and head of the academic should therefore be prepared to treat bite wounds medical emergency requiring anti-venom therapy.
department of military nursing caused by venomous and non-venomous snakes. Every year around the world there are about
at the Royal Centre for Defence
Medicine, Birmingham
This article offers an overview of the most common five million snake-bite envenomations (Girish and
forms of envenomation in the UK and makes Kemparaju 2011), of which about 125,000 result
John M Clochesy is director of recommendations for the clinical care of people who in death and another 375,000 cause pain, loss of
faculty mentorship and assistant
dean of the doctoral programme
have sustained snake bites. function or both (WHO 2010).
Some people, including members of the military,
Constance Visovsky is associate Keywords farm workers and children who live in isolated
dean of student affairs and
community engagement
Snake bite, adder bite, venom, envenomation rural areas, are especially at risk of envenomation
due to their occupations or geographic locations
Both at the University of South
SNAKES HAVE a reclusive nature and prefer a (Johnson et al 2013). Most snake bites are
Florida College of Nursing,
Tampa, Florida, United States rural habitat, and usually bite humans only when inflicted on the feet and ankles (WHO 2010),
they sense they are under threat (Klug et al 2010, with envenomation often causing neurotoxic and
Date of submission
Evans and Nelson 2013). Nevertheless, venomous haemotoxic effects accompanied by tissue necrosis
December 8 2014
snake bites are associated with significant morbidity (Heiner et al 2013).
Date of acceptance and mortality worldwide (World Health Organization Members of the British armed forces are often
December 16 2014
(WHO) 2010). There have been 14 fatalities from deployed to areas where there is a significant risk
Peer review snake bites in the UK since 1876 and the most recent of snake bite (Wall 2012), although since 1990 there
This article has been subject of them, in 1975, involved a child in Scotland (Reid has been only one published case of non-fatal
to double-blind review and
has been checked using
1976). However, there were 510 cases of snake bite snake-bite envenomation involving a British soldier
antiplagiarism software reported to the National Poisons Information Service (Krysta-Clark et al 2004). Although envenomation
between 2004 and 2010. Snakes are not indigenous has occurred among US forces taking part in combat
Author guidelines
rcnpublishing.com/r/
to Northern Ireland. operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, there are little
en-author-guidelines The European adder, or Vipera berus, data about the magnitude of the problem.
is responsible for 52% of snake bites in the UK, In a voluntary cross-sectional survey of 390 US
with exotic species accounting for 26% and the military personnel leaving Afghanistan, Shiau et al
European grass snake for 4%. The causes of the (2007) found there had been seven incidents of
remaining 18% of snake bites are unidentified snake bite, and that military personnel there were
(Coulson et al 2013). While life-threatening at greater risk of snake bite than those in Iraq. In a
envenomation is rare in the UK, people who have more recent case review conducted in Afghanistan,

24 February 2015 | Volume 22 | Number 9 EMERGENCY NURSE


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Heiner et al (2013) reported on 17 snake bites The European adder can be found in most
involving 15 Afghan nationals and two members of of mainland Britain. Adder bites usually occur
the US military who had been bitten mainly on the between February and October, with the number of
fingers, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs. Because bites peaking during the summer months (Warrell
these are common locations for snake bites, troops 2005), a seasonal pattern that is thought to be
in jungle locations must wear boots and gloves, associated with the adders hibernation periods
and should exercise appropriate caution when lifting (Coulson et al 2013). Meanwhile, about 75 different
items from the jungle floor (Kasturiratne et al 2008). types of non-native snakes are kept as pets in the
Envenomation from snake bites is also an UK and envenomation from these occurs most
important public health issue in tropical countries. often when they are being fed, their cages are being
In Sierra Leone, for example, nearly 7,000 people cleaned or their venom milked, or their owners
are bitten by snakes every year and almost handle them while intoxicated (Warrell 2005,
500 die due to lack of timely access to anti-venom Evans and Nelson 2013).
(Kasturiratne 2008). Viperidae inject venom into their victims and
leave painful, deep puncture wounds (Ferri 2012),
Venomous snake species although about 25% of Viperidae bites do not cause
The two types of venomous snakes discussed in envenomation and are termed dry bites (Ashton et al
this article are the Viperidae and Elapidae. Snakes 2011, Evans and Nelson 2013). Viperidae inject
of the Viperidae family include many of those a haemotoxic venom, while snakes of the Elapidae
found in the south-eastern US. They include the family inject a neurotoxic venom that attacks blood
copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), water moccasin and nerve tissue (Juckett and Hancox 2002).
or cottonmouth (A. piscivorus), eastern diamondback
(Crotalus adamanteus) and European adder (V. barus) Clinical features
(Evans and Nelson 2013). The first clinical manifestation of a snake bite is
Snakes of the Elapidae family are also found in anxiety. Patients, even those who have sustained
north America, as well as Africa, Asia, Australia and dry bites, may therefore report anxiety-associated
South America. They include cobras (genus Naja), autonomic arousal symptoms, including
the common krait (genus Bungarus), coral snakes breathlessness, dizziness, numbness in the fingers,
(genus Micrurus) and mambas (genus Dendroaspis) palpitations, sweating, tightness in the chest and
(Evans and Nelson 2013). Some of these snakes are tingling (Bates 2001). When practitioners attend to,
pictured in Figure 1. transfer and treat patients, therefore, they must

Figure 1 Snakes of the Viperidae and Elapidae families


Left: the
iStock

coral snake,
asnake ofthe
Elapidae family

Clockwise from
right: an eastern
diamondback,
awatermoccasin
anda European
adder, all of the
Viperidae family

EMERGENCY NURSE February 2015 | Volume 22 | Number 9 25


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Art & science | poisoning
acute care

offer them reassurance at all times. There follows a conjunctivitis, sometimes leading to corneal
checklist of good practice in managing snake bites: ulceration and anterior uveitis, with the potential for
Keep calm, ensure you appear and sound secondary infection (Warrell 2005).
confident, and maintain good eye contact Practitioners in Australia often use the
with the patient. enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based rapid
Place patient in a comfortable sitting position. snake venom detection kit (SVDK), which involves
If the patient is hyperventilating, encourage him taking a swab of the patients bite area or a
or her to take deep and slow breaths, and praise urine sample to identify the correct anti-venom
their efforts.If the patient has a dry mouth, to administer. SVDKs are not used in the
give him or her water. UK or US, however.
If the patient is panicking, explain that this is A summary of the localised and systemic effects
a normal reaction. of Viperidae and Elapidae venom is listed in Table 1.
Explain what the treatment involves but do
not overwhelm the patient with information. Recommendations
Avoid using jargon or clinical terms unless you Most emergency department (ED) nurses in
are sure the patient understands them. the UK will lack experience in treating patients
Explain that pain does not necessarily mean harm. who present with snake bite (Bates 2001).
Be positive about outcomes but keep to the facts. When someone with suspected snake bite presents
Avoid negative messages and do not speculate. to or contacts the ED, clinicians most important
Provide the patient with an opportunity to ask task is to identify the type of snake involved.
questions and acknowledge his or her concerns. There are recorded cases of envenomation in
After you have explained the treatment, ask the people handling the dead bodies or severed heads
patient to confirm that he or she understands of snakes (Suchard and LoVecchio 1999), so anyone
what has been said. who has been bitten should be discouraged from
The presenting signs and symptoms of bringing these to an ED. Instead, they should be
envenomation depend on the variety of snake asked to take a photograph of the snake (Warrell
responsible for the bite. Snakes such as the spitting 2005), ideally by smartphone or digital camera
cobra and South African rinkhals (Hemachatus so that the photograph can be shared easily.
heamachatus) spit a form of venom that can The National Poisons Information Service has a list
cause venom ophthalmia if it enters the eyes. of herpetologists who can give expert advice on
Venom ophthalmia can cause painful chemical snake species and the actions of their venom.

Table 1 Systemic and localised effects of Viperidae and Elapidae venom First aid Initial first aid should involve safe transfer
of the patient to hospital as quickly and with
Effects of Snake family
as little movement as possible (Gold and Barish
envenomation
Viperidae Elapidae 1992). Any delay in administering anti-venom
can lead to significant complications or even
Haemotoxic Ecchymosis, epistaxis, Not applicable mortality (Sharma et al 2004, Narvencar 2006).
haematemesis, hypovolemia and Reassurance must be given at all times when
shock, serious clotting defects, and moving or transferring patients and during the
persistent bleeding from puncture treatment process.
wounds, venipuncture sites and gums Rings and other tight-fitting jewellery should
Neurotoxic Not applicable Blurred vision, confusion, be removed from the patient in case of local
fasciculation, flaccid swelling (Bates 2001), while a splint or sling
paralysis, headache, can be applied to the affected limb area for
heaviness of the eyelids, immobilisation during transfer (Warrell 2005).
paresthesia, ptosis, For some Elapidae species, immediate pressure
respiratory depression immobilisation is advocated due to the rapid action
or arrest, renal failure, of neurotoxic venom (Bates 2001, Warrell 2005,
vomiting Wall 2012). However, pressure immobilisation is
not advocated for a patient bitten by a Viperidae
Localised Lymphatic spread species, such as the adder.
Figure 2 shows the British armed forces method
Pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, bullae
of pressure immobilisation adapted from Ministry of
(Adapted from Bates 2001) Defence (2012) clinical guidelines for operations.

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Figure 2 British armed forces method of pressure immobilisation following snake bite

Jos F Donneys
Clockwise from top left: applying pressure and splint to someone
withenvenomation to the lower leg

Below: pressure immobilisation with a sling in someone


withenvenomation to the lower arm

Emergency management A patient who is thought Lymphatic obstruction, swelling and blister
to have been bitten by a poisonous snake requires formation can be ameliorated by immobilisation
maintenance of airway, breathing and circulation, and extension of the limb with a simple splint
and should be monitored for at least 24 hours or (Lavonas et al 2011). Tetanus immunisation will have
until a diagnosis of venomous snake bite has been to be considered because cases of Clostridium tetani
excluded (Bates 2001, Evans and Nelson 2013). infection have been reported following snake bite
If the patient is to be transferred by ambulance, (Ferri 2012). If the patient has been bitten by a snake
intravenous access must be achieved and a 0.9% of the Viperidae family, anaphylactoid symptoms
sodium chlorine infusion commenced (Pittman can be treated early with oral or parenteral
2008). Envenomation symptoms can develop H1 blockers (Bates 2001).
between 30 and 60 minutes after a bite so it is If the patient is in pain, non-steroidal
important to monitor the patients vital signs, and to anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be
obtain a detailed clinical history that includes the avoided because of the risk of bleeding and renal Erratum 6/2/15
type of snake and time of bite (Peterson 2006). dysfunction (Pittman 2008). Instead, the patient The copy, left, about the kinds
of pain relief that should be
A top-to-toe examination should then take place should be given paracetamol or opiate-based administered has been changed
to assess for signs of coagulopathy, and nurses medication according to local guidelines. from the printed version.
should assess for any puncture-type wounds The recommended laboratory tests and other
that have been inflicted by fangs or small teeth. assessments are listed in Table 2, page 28.
Treatment includes marking the border of swollen
and tender areas with a view to skin reassessment Anti-venom Snake bites do not always result in
every 15 minutes so that extension of the bite can envenomation so the use of anti-venom is not always
be assessed (Ferri 2012). indicated (Evans and Nelson 2013). However, its use

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Art & science | poisoning
acute care

Table 2 Assessments for envenomation after snake bite following injection of pit viper venom, CroFab is
used widely in the US (Evans and Nelson 2013).
Types of assessment Snake family
Most patients given anti-venom show a rapid
Viperidae Elapidae improvement in hemodynamic status and level
of consciousness (Bates 2001). Any bleeding
Laboratory tests Full blood count should stop within 30 minutes of administration
Coagulation and coagulation profiles should return to normal
within six hours.
Urea and electrolytes in blood
Supportive care Secondary hypovolemia as a
Myoglobin in blood
result of haemorrhage and vasodilation should
Protein and blood in urine be treated with a transfusion of whole blood
and plasma expanders (Bates 2001). Inotropes,
Other assessments Bleeding from tooth sockets, None such as dopamine, should be administered to
conjunctivae, nose, skin and support patients with hypotension as a result
gastrointestinal tract of increased capillary permeability (Bates 2001,
Warrell 2005). In cases of envenomation that has
following envenomation can prevent mortality and led to neurotoxicity, endotracheal intubation with
reduce the time patients must spend in hospital intermittent positive pressure ventilation may be
(Lavonas et al 2011). required (Warrell 2005). Anticholinesterase drugs
The use of anti-venom is indicated when there is can be used to improve prognosis in patients with
all of the following: neurotoxic envenomation by reversing the effects of
Incoagulable blood or spontaneous the neurotoxic venom (Watt et al 1986).
systemic bleeding. Elapidae envenomation produces a curare-type
Neurotoxicity or myotoxicity. effect in patients by blocking postsynaptic nicotinic
Renal failure. acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction
Shock. (Evans and Nelson 2013). These patients appear flaccid
Sustained fall in blood pressure. and are in severe respiratory depression or arrest.
The NHS has access to a wide range of anti-venom Anticoagulants and corticosteroids should be
preparations (Warrell 2005). Some clinicians have avoided in all cases of envenomation due to the risks
been reluctant to use anti-venom following adder of haemorrhage (Pittman 2008). Antibiotics may
envenomation due to the risk of severe allergic be required if there are signs of bacterial infection,
reaction (Coulson et al 2013). This is because in the but there is no evidence to support administration
late 1950s a child with mild viper envenomation died of prophylactic antibiotics following envenomation
as a result of an anaphylactic reaction, and it was (Jorge et al 2004). Fasciotomy, a surgical procedure
assumed thereafter that the bite is less dangerous that relieves pressure on the fascia, can treat
than the anti-serum (McKiddie 1979). The risk of loss of circulation to some areas of tissue or
anaphylactic reaction, which usually occurs between muscle and is useful for decompressing raised
ten and 18 minutes after administration, can be compartment pressures, signs of which include the
mitigated by ensuring adrenaline is available during five Ps: pain, pallor, paresthesia, pulselessness and
anti-venom administration (Theakston and Reid paralysis. Fasciotomy is justified only if there is a
1976, Bates 2001). compartmental pressure of more than 45mmHg,
Today the most commonly used anti-venom which can result in ischemic necrosis, but can
in the UK is the Zagreb anti-venom, which is take place only after normal coagulation has
an F(ab)2 antibody used primarily for viper returned (Bates 2001).
envenomation. Between 2004 and 2010, 85 patients
in the UK required anti-venom. No anaphylactic Care and follow up All patients administered
or anaphylactoid reaction or signs of serum anti-venom will require follow up because they are
sickness were reported during this period at risk of developing serum sickness, an allergy-type
(Coulson et al 2013). disease (Pittman 2008). Patients given anti-venom
For people bitten by the more exotic snakes of should be advised to look for signs of fever,
the Viperidae family, many of which are popular joint pain and malaise, all of which are typical of
with snake enthusiasts, Crotalidae Polyvalent serum sickness (Evans and Nelson 2013). Further
Immune Fab (Ovine), or CroFab, is the anti-venom of blood testing that includes coagulation assay
choice (Pittman 2008). Obtained from sheep serum should be undertaken a few days after patients

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initial discharge and they should be reviewed about Early assessment and effective first aid reduce the
three weeks later (Lavonas et al 2011). chances of significant envenomation, and triage
Patients who develop serum sickness should staff must be aware of the signs and symptoms of
Online archive
be administered prednisolone orally until the haemotoxic and neurotoxic envenomation to provide
signs and symptoms have resolved (Gold and effective assessment. ED staff should be prepared For related information, visit
our online archive and search
Barish 1992). During follow-up care, patients to initiate measures to reverse hypovolemia, using thekeywords
should be asked to report any signs of further bleeding and respiratory sequelae associated with
bleeding and infection (Evans and Nelson 2013), venomous snake bites.
Conflict of interest
and advised to avoid aspirin, NSAIDs, and all types Further studies of patients with venomous and None declared
of contact sports and dental work due to the risk of non-venomous snake bites are needed to advance
haemorrhage (Pittman 2008). clinical care and develop best practice for assessment, Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank
thereby increasing patients chances of survival. Defence Medical Services medical
Summary director Brigadier Timothy
All snake bites must be assessed by clinical Hodgetts for giving security

professionals so that the patients concerned receive


Find out more clearance and permission to
reproduce the British armed
the correct treatments for the specific snakes that forces pressure immobilisation
A list of herpetologists in the UK, who can give expert technique, and University
bit them. Photographs taken by smartphone can
advice on snake species and the actions of venoms, of South Florida multimedia
be useful for identifying the species of snake and assistant Jos FDonneys for
is available at www.npis.org
increase the likelihood of correct management. taking the photographs

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