Animal Nursing Flashcards
Name two organs found in a dog’s abdominal cavity.
Kidneys, liver, spleen, stomach, intestines, ovaries
Name two organs found in a dog’s thoracic cavity.
Heart, lungs
What does RTC stand for?
Road Traffic Collision
What does TPR stand for?
Temperature, Pulse, Respiration
What does NAD stand for?
No Abnormality Detected
What does BAR stand for?
Bright, Alert, Responsive
What does MM stand for?
Mucous Membrane
What does CRT stand for?
Capillary Refill Time
What is the definition of disease?
A change in the bodies ability to function
What are the two generalised causes of arthritis?
Developmental (genetic), acquired (traumatic injuries, immune disease or infections)
Provide two signs of arthritis.
Behavioural changes, reluctance to walk, licking joints, lameness, limping, difficulty getting comfortable, difficulty toileting, postural changes
How is arthritis diagnosed?
Identifying changes in the animal, examination of joints, blood tests, x-rays, CT scans, joint fluid collection, response to anti-inflammatory medication
What is colitis?
Inflammation or irritation of the colon or large intestine
Provide two possible causes of colitis.
Intestinal parasites, stress, pancreatitis, intolerance/allergy, dietary indiscretion, bacterial infection, viral infection, foreign body, irritable bowel disease, bowel cancer
Provide two signs of colitis.
Blood and/or mucus in faeces, straining to defecate, frequent defecation, straining without producing faeces, chronic indicators (poor appetite, weight loss, general lethargy)
How is colitis diagnosed?
Blood investigation, electrolyte tests, abdomen x-rays, endoscopy, rule out viral infections, pancreas tests, faecal tests
How is colitis treated?
Non specific, fasting, hypoallergenic diet, increasing dietary fibre content, anti-inflammatory meds, drugs that modify the colon’s motility (buscopan), probiotics
What is pancreatitis?
Inflammation of the pancreas causes the flow of enzymes into the digestive tract to become disrupted, forcing the enzymes out of the pancreas and into the abdominal area.
Provide two signs of pancreatitis.
Fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia, weight loss, dehydration, fatigue, abdominal pain, depression, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing
Provide two possible causes of pancreatitis.
High levels of fat in the blood (lipaemia), high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia), trauma to the pancreas, and some drugs or toxins, obesity linked to a high fat and low carb diet, high fat gorging
How is pancreatitis diagnosed in dogs?
blood work, x-ray, pancreas and liver enzyme measuring, insulin measured
How is pancreatitis treated?
fluid therapy, electrolyte supps, food and fluids stopped, pain relief and anti-emetics, antibiotics, acid reduction, low fat diets
Provide two signs of chronic renal failure.
Vomiting, lethargy, diarrhoea, constipation, depression, weight loss, thirst, anorexia, acute blindness, seizures and comas, blood in urine, increase in frequency and amount of urination
How is chronic renal failure diagnosed?
Blood profile, blood count, urinalysis, x-ray or ultrasound
How is chronic renal failure treated?
Fluid therapy, restricted dietary protein, reducing and slowing progression, specially formulated diet, phosphorus binders and vitamin D supps, Anti-hypertensives, dialysis (rare)
Provide two signs of urinary tract disease.
Inability to urinate, bloody or cloudy urine, fever, loss of bladder control, increased frequency/amount of urine, straining/pain when urinating, soiling, licking of urinary opening, strong odour of urine, lethargy, vomiting, changed appetite, weight loss, severe back pain, thirst
How is urinary tract disease diagnosed?
Physical exam, urinalysis and urine culture, blood work, radiographs or ultrasound
How is urinary tract disease treated?
Antibiotics, meds or supps, dietary changes, increased water intake, urine acidifiers or alkalinises, fluid therapy, surgery, treatment of causal underlying condition (e.g. diabetes)
What’s the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Type 1 is insulin dependant, type 2 is insulin resistant
Provide two early signs and two later signs of diabetes.
Early-excessive urination, thirst, hunger, weight loss, elevated blood glucose, glucose in the urine. Later-anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, cataracts, weight loss, recurrent infections
Provide two possible causes of diabetes.
Genetic predisposition, some medical conditions (Cushing’s, pancreatitis, obesity)
How is diabetes diagnosed?
Medical history, blood count, chemical profile, urinalysis
How is diabetes treated?
Twice daily insulin injection combined with diet and exercise, strict diet plans and high fibre foods
What three locations are mostly affected by congestive heart failure?
Directly into the lungs (pulmonary oedema), in the space around the lungs (pleural effusion), in the abdomen (ascites)
How is congestive heart failure diagnosed?
Echocardiogram, x-rays, electrocardiogram, heart murmur or arrhythmias can be heard
Provide two signs of congestive heart failure.
Constant panting, coughing, exercise intolerance, increased respiratory rate, difficulty breathing, noisy breathing, blue gums, distended abdomen, coughing up blood, collapse, acute death
How is congestive heart failure treated?
Oxygen therapy, diuretics, heart meds, heart monitoring, blood pressure meds, symptomatic support, sometimes removal of fluid from the chest cavity or abdomen
What is pyometra?
As secondary infection of the uterus as a result of hormonal changes in the reproductive tract
What is the difference between open and closed pyometra?
Open allows the pus to flow out via the cervix and vaginal discharge in evident. Closed is where the cervix is closed and the pus expands and fills the uterus with no obvious external signs
Provide two signs of pyometra.
Increased thirst, fever, lethargy, anorexia, depression, diarrhoea
How is pyometra diagnosed?
Abdominal x-ray, ultrasound, full haematology
How is pyometra treated?
Ovariohysterectomy (spay)
How are abscesses treated?
Lance the abscess, drain pus, flush the cavity, antibiotics
Provide two signs of an ingested foreign body.
vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal tenderness, decreased appetite, straining, lethargy, changes in behaviour
Provide two examples of foreign bodies that are not ingested.
Grass seeds, wheat/barley sheaf, stick injuries, bones wedged in oral cavities
What is a comminuted fracture?
Three or more fragments of bone
What is a compound fracture?
Open with overlying open wound, allowing contamination
What is a greenstick fracture?
Incomplete, fragments not completely separated
What is a depressed fracture?
Part of the bone is pushed downwards
What is an impacted/compression fracture?
The ends of the bone are pushed together
What is an avulsion fracture?
Bony prominence is torn away from the rest of the bone, usually pulled by a muscle
What is a simple fracture?
One fracture line
Provide two signs of distemper.
Pyrexia, nasal discharge, coughing, vomiting, diarrhoea, hyperkeratosis, encephalitis
How is distemper treated?
Nursing care, symptomatic treatment, IVFT, antibiotics, anti-emetics, anti-convulsants, euthanasia
Provide two signs of parvovirus.
Depression, vomiting, anorexia, profuse watery haemorrhagic diarrhoea, dehydration
How is parvovirus treated?
Isolation, barrier nursing, IVFT, anti-emetics, antibiotics
How is leptospirosis spread?
Zoonotic, spread by stagnant water
Provide two signs of leptospirosis.
Pyrexia, vomiting, shock, nephritis, hepatitis, dehydration, jaundice
How is leptospirosis treated?
IVFT, antibiotics, anti-emetics, dietary management
Provide two signs of canine hepatitis.
Anorexia, pyrexia, vomiting, diarrhoea, enlarged liver, blue eye
How is canine hepatitis treated?
Supportive treatment, IVFT, antibiotics, anti-emetics
Provide two signs of kennel cough.
Dry hacking, cough, retching, mucopurulent discharge (nasal and ocular)
How is kennel cough treated?
Antibiotics, anti-tussives, restricted exercise
Provide two signs of feline panleucopenia.
Depression, fever, enteritis, vomiting, diarrhoea
How is feline panleucopenia treated?
Supportive treatment, IVFT, nutritional support, antibiotics
How can feline panleucopenia affect the offspring of pregnant cats?
Cerebellar hypoplasia, the brain is affected causing motor issues
Provide two signs of feline upper respiratory disease.
Sneezing, oral ulceration, pyrexia, conjunctivitis, anorexia, depression, dehydration
How is feline upper respiratory disease treated?
Nursing, supportive treatment, IVFT, feeding smelly foods, antibiotics
Provide two signs of feline leukaemia virus.
Weight loss, fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, anaemia, cancer, uncoordinated movement, persistent diarrhoea, recurrent infections
How is feline leukaemia virus treated?
Supportive care, symptomatic, anti-viral drugs, treatment for secondary infections, immune system support, balanced diet, minimising risk factors and exposure to disease
What is feline immunodeficiency virus?
An asymptomatic disease causing the gradual decline in the animals’ immunity.
What is feline immunodeficiency virus also known as?
Feline aids
How is feline immunodeficiency virus spread?
Main tramssion through saliva from bites but can be spread through the placenta, milk or fleas.
How is myxomatosis spread?
Direct contact or bites from fleas.
Provide two signs of myxomatosis.
Fever, lumps, puffiness around the head and genitals, conjuctivitis.
How is myxomatosis diagnosed?
Blood sample analysis, snap tests, PCR test (polymerase chain reaction), ELISA test (enzyme linked immunoassay).
How is myxomatosis treated?
Symptomatic and supportive treatment, nursing or euthanasia.
What is rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease also known as?
RHDV
What does rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease do?
Attacks internal organs causing haemorrhage.
Provide two signs of rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease.
Fever, lethargy, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, blood in discharge from the nose or mouth, lack of coordination.
What is the anatomical direction for ‘towards the head’?
Cranial
What is the anatomical direction for ‘towards the nose’?
Rostral
What is the anatomical direction for ‘towards the back end’?
Caudal
What is the anatomical direction for towards the paw/foot?
Distal
What is the anatomical direction for the top portion of the leg?
Proximal
What is the anatomical direction for the top of an animal?
Dorsal
What is the anatomical direction for the bottom of an animal?
Ventral
What is the term for the laid down position?
Lateral recumbency
What is the anatomical direction for the front feet/paws?
Palmer
What is the anatomical direction for the hind feet/paws?
Plantar
What does the prefix Dys- mean?
Difficult, painful, abnormal
What does the suffix -algia mean?
Pain
What does the suffix -emesis mean?
Vomit
What does the suffix -plasia mean?
Growing, changing
What is an incised wound?
An incised wound is a sharp cut injury, which is usually longer than it is deep. Incised wounds are usually associated with surgical incisions.
What is a laceration wound?
A laceration is a tear in the skin, caused by cuts from sharp objects.
What is an avulsed/degloved wound?
An injury in which all three layers of skin are torn off.
What is an abrasion wound?
Where the skin is scraped away.
What is a contusion wound?
Essentially a bruise and is an injury to the body’s soft tissues, typically the skin and underlying blood vessels.
What is a puncture wound?
A deep wound, caused by something sharp and pointed such as a thorn, metal nail or an animal’s tooth.
What is a scald wound?
A burn caused by contact with hot liquid or steam.
What causes a burn wound?
Can be caused by many factors, including heat, cold, electricity, chemicals, friction, or ultraviolet radiation (UV) and can come in varying degrees.
What is the anatomical direction for ‘towards the midline’?
Medial
What is the role of a head vet nurse?
Management of nursing staff, nursing policies and procedures, staff CPD, customer and public relations, development of team, health and safety, clinical audits, mentor staff.
What is the role of a practice manager?
Human resources, training, stock control and purchasing, health and safety, accounts, office management, oversee daily running of business.
What is the role of an RVN?
Managing the treatments of inpatients, preparing theatre for surgical procedures, monitoring anaesthesia, nurse clinics where the nurse manages consultations with clients and their pets, biosecurity and practice hygiene, laboratory testing of samples, radiography.
What are the 4 most common sites for IV injections?
Cephalic vein (foreleg), jugular vein (neck), saphenous vein (hind leg), lateral ear vein (mainly for rabbits).
What restraint method allows the best access to the saphenous vein?
Lateral recumbency.
What is the best site for subcutaneous injections?
The scruff.
What are the two sites used for intramuscular injections?
Epaxial (either side of the spine), quadraceps femoris (hind leg).
Provide two subtle signs of stress in dogs.
Excessive panting, pacing, licking lips, ears pinned back, whale eye, lifting up their paws.
Provide 4 examples of restraint equipment.
Crush cages, catch poles, snake hook, muzzle, gauntlets, crates, towels, leads and collars, pillow case, cat bag.
Provide two treatment options for a fracture.
cast, support, splint, pin, plate, external fixation
Provide two considerations when dealing with clients.
Age of person. Person with additional needs eg hearing, visual, physical. Emotional state eg angry, aggressive, upset / emotional. Socio-economic status.
Provide an example of when proper communication with clients is important.
Emergency (eg RTC, severe haemorrhage). Admitting animals for surgery. Euthanasia. Complaint. Dispute over payment
What are the two types of immunity generation?
Natural and artificial.
What’s the difference between the prefixes hyper- and hypo-?
Hyper- means excessive or above. Hypo- means deficient or below.
