Initial management for suspected ciguatera poisoning is primarily which approach?

• A. Supportive care; no antidote
• B. Antidote administration
• C. Antibiotics
• D. Surgical intervention

Answer: (A)

Ciguatera poisoning has no specific antidote, so the initial approach is supportive care focused on stabilizing the patient and treating symptoms. The main steps are ensuring adequate IV fluids to address dehydration, correcting electrolyte disturbances, and using antiemetics and analgesia to control nausea and pain. Cardiac and neurological monitoring is important because dizziness, palpitations, or bradycardia can occur, and symptoms like paresthesias or temperature-related dysesthesia may persist for days to weeks. Since there isn’t a targeted antidote or other definitive therapy, antibiotics or surgical interventions aren’t appropriate primary management choices.