RATTLE SNAKE TOXICITY

Course overview

RATTLESNAKES ARE FOUND THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS AND INCLUDE SNAKES IN THE GENERA CROTALUS AND SISTRURUS. THEY ARE ALSO KNOWN AS PIT VIPERS, LANCEHEADS, AND ASIAN PIT VIPERS (GENUS TRIMERESURUS). THEIR PRIMARY DEFENSE MECHANISM IS TO HIDE, AND THEN RATTLE AND HISS WHICH ARE MEANT TO SCARE PREDATORS AWAY. WHEN THEY ARE FURTHER CHALLENGED, THEY BITE AND ENVENOMATE WITH POTENTIALLY DEADLY EFFECTS. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND PRESENTATION OF RATTLESNAKE BITES AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ITS MANAGEMENT.