Animal Care and Nursing Sample Questions Flashcards
A canine patient presents with excessively greasy skin, diffuse scaling, erythema, alopecia, and inflammation. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
a) Fleas
b) Ringworm
c) Demodectic mange
d) Seborrhea oleosa
d) Seborrhea oleosa
Infestation with fleas would result in itching, crusty skin, alopecia, and flea dirt. Ringworm would present with alopecia in circular patches, sometimes with dry, crusty skin. Demodectic mange would present with areas of red and scaly lesions around the face and front legs.
A dog that was hit by a car and is now recovering from surgery appears to have lost its appetite. When the caregiver sets the food in front of the dog, it does not show an interest in the food. Which of the following is true of animals that have been injured or have diseases?
a) Their metabolic rate increases, and they become severely nutritionally compromised after a few days without food.
b) Their metabolic rate decreases, and they become severely nutritionally compromised after only 1 day without food.
c) Their metabolic rate increases, and they become severely nutritionally compromised after one 1 day without food.
d) Their metabolic rate decreases, and they become severely nutritionally compromised after a few days without food.
a) Their metabolic rate increases, and they become severely nutritionally compromised after a few days without food.
These patients may need to be assisted orally during their feedings or they may receive a gastrostomy tube. Their water intake should also be monitored.
A zoonotic disease is one that:
a) is not contagious or life threatening
b) only affects those animals kept in zoos
c) is only common in undeveloped countries
d) can be transmitted from animals to humans
d) can be transmitted from animals to humans
Examples include Ebola virus, cowpox, rabies, and the bird flu.
Bandaged animals often bite at the bandages if they are uncomfortable (too loose or too tight) or if the animal is simply bored. Many times, these bandages are pressure bandages applied by surgeons after an operation. Pressure bandages should be removed how many hours after application?
a) 4 hours
b) 8 hours
c) 12 hours
d) 18 hours
c) 12 hours
After 12 hours, pressure bandages may become uncomfortable, which may lead the animal to bite at the material. If the material breaks, bacteria from the animal’s mouth and exposure to environmental elements may infect the wound.
Which of the following steps would a veterinary technician perform last when inserting an intravenous catheter?
a) Palpate the animal’s lymph nodes
b) Administer drugs slowly and carefully
c) Examine the catheter site for infections
d) Wash hands with antibacterial/disinfectant soaps
b) Administer drugs slowly and carefully
Veterinary technicians should administer drugs slowly and carefully only after they have washed their hands with disinfectant soap, examined the catheter site for infections, and palpated the animal’s lymph nodes.
Which of the following ECG findings is a sign of third-degree AV block?
a) No P waves and wide distorted QRS complexes
b) Lengthening of PR interval on consecutive beats
c) Constant PR interval with random dropped beats
d) No relation between P waves and QRS complexes
d) No relation between P waves and QRS complexes
In this condition, the atria and the ventricles are beating independently of one another. An ECG that shows no P waves and wide distorted QRS complexes indicates premature ventricular contractions. An ECG that shows a lengthening of PR interval on consecutive beats indicates second-degree heart block. An ECG showing a constant PR interval with random dropped beats would also indicate second-degree heart block.
Horner’s Syndrome is a temporary condition that most commonly affects a cat’s:
a) Facial nerves
b) Esophagus
c) Adrenal gland
d) Spinal cord
a) Facial nerves
Horner’s Syndrome is caused by a variety of circumstances such as injury to the nerves during surgery, bites to the face, or accidents injuring the head or neck. It affects the cat’s facial nerves and causes drooping and a sunken appearance of the eye on one side of the face. It usually resolves itself in 6-8 weeks.
A veterinarian suspects that a herd of cattle is suffering from molybdenum poisoning because their milk production has decreased, the color of their coats is fading, and they appear to be losing weight. This condition should be categorized as:
a) a non-emergency
b) minor
c) serious
d) life threatening
c) serious
Although molybdenum poisoning is not a life-threatening condition, it is still a serious emergency. It is not life threatening because it can be easily treated. Molybdenum is typically found in clovers; therefore, farmers should direct the herd to graze in areas without clover. An example of a non-emergency would be an insect bite. An example of a minor emergency would be vomiting. An example of a life-threatening emergency would be internal bleeding or similar injuries.
A client seeks the professional services of a new veterinarian for her pet without a referral. The new veterinarian calls the former veterinarian to discuss the patient’s medical history. The former veterinarian should:
a) Share information with the new veterinarian
b) Report the new veterinarian for stealing a patient from him
c) Withhold information from the new veterinarian because it is privileged
a) Share information with the new veterinarian
Although the client did not ask for a referral and did not formally end the veterinarian-client-patient relationship, the former veterinarian should still share information about the patient with the new veterinarian. According to the AVMA Code of Ethics, the veterinarian should treat the situation as though there had been a referral. The information is not privileged.
Humane euthanasia of animals is:
a) rare
b) illegal
c) ethical
d) unethical
c) ethical
When an animal is too ill or has sustained injuries from which they cannot possibly recover, veterinarians may recommend that the client consent to euthanizing his or her pet. According to AVMA Code of Ethics, when humane techniques are used, this process is ethical.
