Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What is the first action to take if a dog bites your hand and breaks the skin?

1. Apply ice to reduce swelling

2. Get first aid for the injury

3. Wash the dog’s mouth

4. Call a veterinarian

The correct answer is: Get first aid for the injury

When a dog bites your hand and breaks the skin, the immediate priority is to get first aid for the injury. This action is crucial because a bite can introduce bacteria from the dog's mouth into the wound, leading to infection. Proper first aid includes cleaning the wound thoroughly with soap and water to minimize the risk of infection, followed by applying a sterile bandage to protect the area. While applying ice may help reduce swelling, it's not the first action to take when dealing with a potential bite wound. Washing the dog's mouth is not appropriate or necessary in this case, and while it may be important to call a veterinarian for the dog later on, the foremost concern should be taking care of your injury. Therefore, securing first aid for yourself is the correct approach in response to a dog bite.