Real-Life Communication
Because treatments are always changing, it's important that ER nurses
read health literature. "You need to be able to read well to understand research
papers and such, to keep yourself current in changes in technology. Nursing
is a very dynamic profession and it's imperative to keep up with the changes,"
says Deborah Willard, an ER nurse.
Recently, a local health official
reported to the hospital that she's worried that more wild animals are carrying
rabies. You haven't seen many people come into the ward recently with animal
bites, so you brush up on what to do in this situation. This is what you read:
Treating
Animal Bites
- When the bite has been inflicted by a domestic animal previously immunized
for rabies, the wound can be treated in the usual manner with cleansing and
the removal of debris.
- In bites involving exposed areas, such as the face, head, neck and hands,
serious consideration must be given to putting in stitches. If these wounds
must be closed, the cleansing and removal of debris must be meticulous.
- Rabies rarely affects humans. The vaccination of domestic animals has
accounted for this decline. However, the incidence of rabies in wildlife,
especially foxes, skunks and bats, has been increasing. If a bite is made
by an animal suspected of having rabies, special precautions must be taken
to prevent this deadly disease. Children under the age of 12 seem more susceptible
to this disease than older people.
- Rabies bites should be cleaned and debris removed, just as with other
bites. If the wound is on the face, head, neck or hands, stitches may be required.
A need for a rabies shot must then be evaluated and administered if needed.
- Report all bites to a local health authority.
On your next shift, two bite victims come into the emergency ward.
Sandra, 27, has just been bitten in the face by her dog Brutus. Brutus is
up to date with all of his shots.
Joey, who is eight, had been playing
in a cave near his campsite. Something swooped out of the darkness and attacked
his shoulder. The wound isn't deep.
Given what you just read, answer
the following questions for each situation:
- What do you do to clean the wound?
- Are stitches required?
- Is rabies a factor?
- Does anyone else need to know about this?
Want to learn more? Check out this URL:
Animal
Bites
Internet:https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-animal-bites/basics/art-20056591