New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Exam

Why is the stinger of a honeybee significant after a sting?

1. The stinger can easily be removed with tweezers

2. The body's immune system deactivates the venom

3. The toxicity of the venom decreases within 10 minutes

4. It can continue to inject venom for up to 20 minutes

The correct answer is: It can continue to inject venom for up to 20 minutes

The stinger of a honeybee is significant after a sting because it can continue to inject venom for up to 20 minutes. This process occurs due to the structure of the honeybee's stinger, which has barbs that latch onto the skin of the victim. Once the stinger is lodged in, it remains attached to the bee, allowing for the continuous release of venom into the bloodstream even after the bee has flown away. The venom typically causes pain and inflammation, and the longer it remains in the body, the greater the potential for these symptoms to escalate. Understanding this aspect of a honeybee sting is crucial for proper first aid response. Although removing the stinger promptly can help mitigate the effects of the venom, the realization that the venom can keep entering the body for an extended time underscores the importance of quick and effective intervention, such as using a scraping motion to remove the stinger rather than pinching it, which can further release more venom.