Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

Administering rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is critical after a bite from a bat due to the high risk of rabies, which is nearly always fatal once clinical symptoms appear. Immediate wound care is essential, but rabies PEP including human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and vaccine administration should be a priority for suspected rabies. Antibiotic administration is a secondary action aimed at preventing bacterial infection, not rabies. Observing the bat for symptoms or referring to animal control are important for public health monitoring but do not impact the immediate need for PEP in the patient.