Which statement is true regarding bleeding from pit viper envenomation?

Which statement is true regarding bleeding from pit viper envenomation?

• A. Bleeding from major organs
• B. Dry skin
• C. Coughing up blood
• D. Fever and chills

Answer: (D)

Pit viper venom can trigger a systemic response in addition to local tissue effects, including fever and chills as part of the body's inflammatory and toxic response to the venom. These systemic signs often accompany venom-induced coagulopathy, which is what underlies bleeding risk, making fever and chills a true indicator of the broader impact of envenomation. The other options describe more specific or less characteristic bleeding manifestations (bleeding from major organs, coughing up blood) or nonspecific signs (dry skin) that don’t as reliably reflect the systemic bleeding risk seen with pit viper bites. So fever and chills best capture the systemic involvement you’d expect with this envenomation.

Pit viper venom can trigger a systemic response in addition to local tissue effects, including fever and chills as part of the body's inflammatory and toxic response to the venom. These systemic signs often accompany venom-induced coagulopathy, which is what underlies bleeding risk, making fever and chills a true indicator of the broader impact of envenomation. The other options describe more specific or less characteristic bleeding manifestations (bleeding from major organs, coughing up blood) or nonspecific signs (dry skin) that don’t as reliably reflect the systemic bleeding risk seen with pit viper bites. So fever and chills best capture the systemic involvement you’d expect with this envenomation.