Marine envenomation — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: D — Remove tentacles carefully, avoid rubbing and use local species-specific first aid

Remove tentacles carefully, avoid rubbing and use local species-specific first aid is the best answer because marine stings need safe tentacle removal and avoidance of actions that trigger further nematocyst discharge. Give unrestricted crystalloid to normalise blood pressure is less appropriate because over-resuscitation can worsen bleeding when haemorrhage is uncontrolled; Defer treatment until a senior hospital doctor reviews the patient is less appropriate because pre-hospital clinicians must treat immediate threats within scope. Use oral analgesia as the main treatment and Immobilise every joint and delay departure for a detailed examination are also suboptimal because they move attention away from the key pre-hospital priority.. The key DipIMC principle is to treat immediate reversible threats, communicate clearly and move the patient toward the right definitive care.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; TOXBASE/NPIS guidance