316.1 - Understand The Principles

Question 1

What does the RCVS require that all veterinary surgeons provide for their patients?

Answer 1

24 hour emergency cover

Question 2

What are the aims of first aid in regards to veterinary

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What should you advise owners of when moving/transporting a patient that is pain?

Answer 3

That they could bite! So care should be taken to prevent this i.e tape muzzle, blanket/towel to cover scared cat

Question 4

What’s the best way to transport dogs that are ambulatory?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

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

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

What is systemic assessment of casualty?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

How would you position a patient in recovery position?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What does pale MM’s indicate?

Answer 8

Absence of RBC - shock, haemorrhage, or anaemia

Question 9

What does blue/purple MM’s indicate?

Answer 9

Lack of o2 - secondary to de-oxygenated haemoglobin. Seen with severe hypoxaemia (they can be cyanotic with out MM’s changing colour)

Question 10

What does jaundice MM’s indicate ?

Answer 10

Caused by excess bile pigment (bilirubin) in the circulation

Question 11

What does Red/Congested MM’s indicate ?

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

What does bright red MM’s indicate ?

Answer 12

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Question 13

What do brown MM’s indicate?

Answer 13

Methaemoglobinaemia - paracetamol poisoning

Question 14

What do tacky MM’s indicate?

Answer 14

Dehydration

Question 15

What is a normal CRT time?

Answer 15

1-2 seconds

Question 16

What can a prolonged CRT indicate ?

Answer 16

*hypoperfusion/shock

Question 17

What could pale MM’s and normal CRT mean?

Answer 17

Anaemia

Question 18

What can pale MM’s and prolonged CRT mean?

Answer 18

Shock

Question 19

What could a rapid CRT (under 1 second) indicate ?

Answer 19

Usually associated with sepsis

Question 20

Why might a patient have a pulse deficit?

Answer 20

Pulse deficit indicate are caused by cardiac arrhythmias

Question 21

In the event of a brain trauma, why should you NOT take a blood sample?

Answer 21

Because occluding the jugular vein can increase intracranial pressure

Question 22

How can you prevent a increase to intracranial pressure following a head trauma?

Answer 22

Prevent:

• sneezing
• gagging
• don’t occlude the jugular vein
• keep head raised 15-30 degrees

Question 23

define ‘first aid’

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Basic rules/advice for owners when transporting animals?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

How might the pulse of a patient be with hypovolemic patients?

Answer 25

Weak

Question 26

How might the pulse be like with septic dogs?

Answer 26

bounding pulses (stronger and longer duration)

Question 27

how might the pulse be like with a anemia?

Answer 27

Snappy pulses (string yet short duration)