#1052 Venom to Victory: Clinical Management of Pit Viper Snakebites (12 Credits/hours)

Course Details:
Launch Date: August 5, 2025
Expires: August 31, 2027

Course #1052
12 Credits/Hours

Course Overview

This comprehensive course provides healthcare professionals with essential knowledge and skills for managing pit viper envenomation. Pit vipers, including rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths, are responsible for the majority of venomous snakebites in North America. This course covers identification, pathophysiology, clinical assessment, treatment protocols, and patient management strategies to optimize outcomes and minimize complications.

Table of Contents

1. Pit Viper Identification and Distribution
2. Venom Composition and Pathophysiology
3. Clinical Presentation and Severity Grading
4. Initial Assessment and Stabilization
5. Antivenom Therapy and Pharmacological Management
6. Complications and Advanced Management
7. Disposition, Follow-up, and Patient Education

Learning Objectives

 Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify common North American pit viper species and understand their geographic distribution
• Describe the components of pit viper venom and their systemic effects on human physiology
• Perform a systematic clinical assessment of snakebite victims and apply appropriate severity grading scales
• Implement evidence-based initial stabilization measures and supportive care protocols
• Demonstrate proper antivenom administration techniques and manage potential adverse reactions
• Recognize and treat complications including coagulopathy, compartment syndrome, and local tissue injury
• Make appropriate disposition decisions and provide comprehensive discharge instructions and follow-up care planning