Snakes

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The video shows a brown snake attacking. If you get envenomated by a brown snake what typically occurs?

You get rapid onset coagulopathy whether it is an eastern or western brown snake.

Rhabdomyolysis.

Paralysis.

Coagulopathy.

Coagulopathy and rhabdomyolysis.

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The video shows a Mulga snake eating a western brown snake. Which of the following is UNTRUE about the Mulga snake.

It actually has the highest venom output of any snake in the world.

The venom output of the Mulga is the second highest in Australia.

It is actually part of the black snake genus.

It used to be called the King Brown snake.

It is Australia's largest venomous snake.

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What happens to you when you are bitten and get envenomated by a common death adder?

Before antivenom death adder bites had a very high death rate due to paralysis. I suppose that is why they are called death adders---not life adders.

You develop paralysis like muscle weakness and respiratory failure.

You get local necrosis at the site but no systemic problems.

You get a coagulopathy.

You get rhadomyolysis and subsequent renal failure.

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Tiger snakes are common in NSW. What typically occurs when you are envenomated?

Tiger snakes have potent venom and you will get a degree of all 3--coagulopathy like a brown snake, rhabdomyolysis like a Mulga snake and paralysis like a death adder. It is thought up to 60% of tiger snake bites result in severe envenomation.

Causes rhabdomyolysis almost exclusively.

Causes coagulopathy almost exclusively.

Causes coagulopathy, rhabdomyolysis and paralysis.

Causes local necrosis and paralysis.

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In the movie " Snakes on a plane" what did NOT occur?

On its release in Phoenix, Arizona 2 pranksters released 2 rattlesnakes into the audience.

An FBI agent was eaten alive by a Burmese python.

It has Samuel L Jackson in it.

The first people killed were having sex in a bathroom.

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Which of the following about snake fangs is INCORRECT.

Snakes regularly replace their fangs whether they are front fanged (like almost all venomous snakes in Australia) or rear fanged.

An elapid is a front fanged fixed maxilla snake.

A colubrid is a rear fanged snake.

The Coastal Taipan has the longest fangs of any Australian snake.

If a snake breaks both fangs it dies because it cannot hunt.

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Which of the following is INCORRECT about brown snake antivenom.

The Australian Snakebite Project concluded that 1 vial "clears the blood " of circulating venom and recommended only 1 vial to be given. There is some ongoing controversy about whether 2 would be prudent except in mild envenomations. The days of giving 5 or more vials are not accepted by clinicians and researchers any more.

You may be required to give up to 10 vials of antivenom.

Give the antivenom IV diluted in 100mls N/S over 20 minutes.

It is horse IgG Fab.

The same brown snake antivenom can be used for eastern and western brown snakes.

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Which of the following is INCORRECT about pressure immobilisation bandaging?

The bandage should be applied over existing clothes if possible. Do not "suck out the venom" or use a torniquet.

Splint the limb after applying the bandage.

Remove the patients clothes over the bite area then apply the bandage.

Apply the bandage distally to proximally.

It compresses the lymphatic channels so impeding the venoms access to the circulation.

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The video shows an Australian copperhead. Which of the following is TRUE about copperheads?

The copperhead in fact likes cool moist areas and is shy. In the rare times that it bites its venom is neurotoxic and causes haemolysis.

You can treat copperhead bites with brown snake antivenom.

They are found in hot, dry countryside.

They only cause minor bites.

Tasmania has 3 venomous snakes, the copperhead, white lipped and tiger.

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Which is the most DANGEROUS snake in the world?

The inland taipan is the most venomous snake in the world. Exact data on which snake kills the most people is non existent however the saw scaled viper is thought to kill more than any other. And it is a snake with attitude.

The saw scaled viper.

The king cobra.

The inland taipan.

The black mamba.

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