Emergency nurse : the journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association
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Only one species of venomous snake, the adder, is indigenous to the UK, but many people keep venomous snakes as pets and others travel to places, such as the United States, where a wider variety of venomous snakes can be found. Emergency nurses should therefore be prepared to treat bite wounds caused by venomous and non-venomous snakes. This article offers an overview of the most common forms of envenomation in the UK and makes recommendations for the clinical care of people who have sustained snake bites.
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A common complaint in children, abdominal pain can be clinically challenging for healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat. Accurate assessment and thorough investigations, combined with the measurement and monitoring of vital signs, are essential to eliminate any underlying conditions. ⋯ This article refers to a case study to discuss the care of children who present to emergency departments (EDs) with abdominal pain. It suggests that children's nursing students can be valuable assets in busy EDs because they have the knowledge and skills required to care for young people.