Which sign described in the material is associated with a brown recluse bite?

Which sign described in the material is associated with a brown recluse bite?

• A. Mild cough
• B. Joint swelling
• C. Painful red area with overlying blister and white area around it
• D. Dizziness

Answer: (C)

The sign being tested is a local skin reaction from brown recluse venom. The venom can cause tissue destruction, so the bite site becomes a painful red area that often develops a blister with a pale, white ring around it as the surrounding tissue necroses. This pattern can progress to an ulcer or eschar. That localized skin presentation is characteristic of a brown recluse bite, whereas mild cough, dizziness, or joint swelling aren’t typical features of this envenomation.

The sign being tested is a local skin reaction from brown recluse venom. The venom can cause tissue destruction, so the bite site becomes a painful red area that often develops a blister with a pale, white ring around it as the surrounding tissue necroses. This pattern can progress to an ulcer or eschar. That localized skin presentation is characteristic of a brown recluse bite, whereas mild cough, dizziness, or joint swelling aren’t typical features of this envenomation.