Thursday June 17, 1999 - Question 6

Which of the following statements regarding the use of crotalid antivenin is correct?

A. Known hypersensitivity to the antivenin or horse serum is an absolute contraindication to its use.

B. Delayed hypersensitivity reactions, known as serum sickness, occur in 50-75% of patients receiving four or more vials of antivenin.

C. Most clinicians suggest a maximum total dose of 30 vials of antivenin.

D. Skin testing for horse serum allergy should be performed routinely on all patients suspected of a rattlesnake bite.

E. Antivenin is administered by intravenous infusion, with the recommended concentration of 5 vials in 250 ml of Normal Saline to be administered over at least 4 hours.
 

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