Variability of limb measurements performed by emergency medicine nurses in a simulated Crotalinae envenomation

There are no studies evaluating the reliability of data generated from serial limb measurements in envenomated patients by Crotalinae snakes. Because no baseline proficiency in measuring the limbs of patients by emergency medicine nursing staff has been established, it was logical to determine this first in healthy volunteers. Strategies to decrease error should include greater standardization in measurement procedures and duplicate measurements per sampling period, or abandonment of the technique for alternative methods.