316.1 - Understand The Principles Flashcards
What does the RCVS require that all veterinary surgeons provide for their patients?
24 hour emergency cover
What are the aims of first aid in regards to veterinary
1) preserve life
2) prevent further injury/suffering
3) minimise pain and distress
4) promote recovery and repair
5) support animal until veterinary help is gained
What should you advise owners of when moving/transporting a patient that is pain?
That they could bite! So care should be taken to prevent this i.e tape muzzle, blanket/towel to cover scared cat
What’s the best way to transport dogs that are ambulatory?
If they are ambulatory, they are often less stressed if allowed to walk even if slowly, then gentle assistance can be given to get them into a car.
If a patient patient is non-ambulatory (i.e suspected spinal injury, collapse dyspnoea, collapse with abdominal or thoracic injury, unconsciousness or severe injury) what advise should be given to client about transporting the animal
- If possible utilise items to be a stretcher that will fit in car - wood, hardboard sheet, sacks, coats, blankets, etc - though these offer little support for spinal injury’s.
- Use tape muzzle if needed - animal might be scares or in pain.
- The animal should be moved to stretcher by holding skin above shoulder blade and midway along the back, pull animal carefully onto stretcher avoiding twisting
- When in car monitor that patient doesn’t escape, interfere with driver, fall off seat or cause further injury
What is systemic assessment of casualty?
It’s a initial assessment that should be preformed within a minute of patient arrival because it checks three major body systems: respiratory; cardiovascular; neurological - also know as A,B, C
How would you position a patient in recovery position?
Lateral recumbency (unless contraindicated)
Ensure head and neck are straight to allow patient airway
Pull tongue forward if possible (don’t get bitten)
Remove collars or harnesses
Keep warm and quiet
Keep confined to prevent further damage
What does pale MM’s indicate?
Absence of RBC - shock, haemorrhage, or anaemia
What does blue/purple MM’s indicate?
Lack of o2 - secondary to de-oxygenated haemoglobin. Seen with severe hypoxaemia (they can be cyanotic with out MM’s changing colour)
What does jaundice MM’s indicate ?
Caused by excess bile pigment (bilirubin) in the circulation
What does Red/Congested MM’s indicate ?
- Can be seen with early sepsis in dogs
- secondary to hyperdynamic state of increased cardiac output and vasodilation
- can be seen after exercise
- hyperthermia and pyrexia
What does bright red MM’s indicate ?
Carbon monoxide poisoning
What do brown MM’s indicate?
Methaemoglobinaemia - paracetamol poisoning
What do tacky MM’s indicate?
Dehydration
What is a normal CRT time?
1-2 seconds
What can a prolonged CRT indicate ?
*hypoperfusion/shock
What could pale MM’s and normal CRT mean?
Anaemia
What can pale MM’s and prolonged CRT mean?
Shock
What could a rapid CRT (under 1 second) indicate ?
Usually associated with sepsis
Why might a patient have a pulse deficit?
Pulse deficit indicate are caused by cardiac arrhythmias
In the event of a brain trauma, why should you NOT take a blood sample?
Because occluding the jugular vein can increase intracranial pressure
How can you prevent a increase to intracranial pressure following a head trauma?
Prevent:
- sneezing
- gagging
- don’t occlude the jugular vein
- keep head raised 15-30 degrees
define ‘first aid’
First aid is the immediate action taken and treatment given to a patient who has suffered an incident, accident, or who is presented with a critical illness.
Basic rules/advice for owners when transporting animals?
Do not obstruct breathing support animals back retain animals body temperature keep weight of fractures muzzle if necessary, scared aniamls might act aggressively use slow deliberate movements use calm voice handle little as possible care if contaminated with toxic materials
How might the pulse of a patient be with hypovolemic patients?
Weak
How might the pulse be like with septic dogs?
bounding pulses (stronger and longer duration)
how might the pulse be like with a anemia?
Snappy pulses (string yet short duration)
