Exam 1 Flashcards
What are the 3 basic responsibilities of a Vet?
- Make Diagnoses
- Treat abnormalities using evidence based medicine (when possible)
- Keep up-to date on advances
What is the diagnostic reasoning process
Arrival at a diagnosis by obtaining complex, convoluted, and confusing information on a patients and comparing it to what is expected to be normal “art of veterinary science”
What is the Problem-oriented approach? and why do we use it? ** learning objective**
Idea that medicine should be practiced with a set of rules in order to cope with the complex information obtained about a patient. Ensures each animals problems are diagnosed and managed logically and thoroughly. Foundation rests on (1) Systematic collection of info and (2) assembly of a database that is the same for each patient
What does the problem-orientated approach database include? (9 main points/steps)
** Learning objective**
- Signalment
- Owners complaint
- History
- Physical Exam
- Working Problem List
- Differential Diagnosis (DD) list - use “DAMNIT” to jog your memories
- Plan to rule -in/-out each DD
- Treatment Plan and Prognosis
- Therapeutic plan and monitor its efficacy via SOAP
Signalment
age, breed and sex first thing you should know or tell another clinician about a patient
Owners Complaint
What you should always address. Ensure owners interpretation is correct.
6 General Rules of Taking a History
** Learning Objective**
- Avoid confusion. Use simple english and ask one question at a time
- Cross-check statements for accuracy
- DO NOT use leading questions
- Establish a chronological timeline
- OPEN_ENDED QUESTIONS!!!
- Summarize understanding to owner to avoid miscomm6unications
What is the most common cause of disputes b/w owners and vets?
a. miscommunication
b. money
c. diagnosis
d. sports
miscommunication
What is a: Working Problem List
Identification and prioritization of a patients problems. Some problems can be “lumped” together if thought to be due to a common cause. Make less urgent problems “inactive” , rather than discarding them Focus on distinguishing CS ( ex. dark feces, pale mucous membranes) and avoid general CS (ex. anorexia, lethargy)
What does DAMNIT stand for?
**Learning objective**
D- developmental, degenerative
A- anatomical, autoimmune, allergies
M- metabolic
N- neoplastic, nutritional
I- idopathic, iatrogenic, inflammatory, infectious
T- toxicities, trauma
Textbooks also outline DDx’s
What should you consider when you devise a diagnostic plan?
Choose diagnostic test that:
- cause minimal pain/stress
- -safe
- -simple
- -can rule-in/-out multiple DDx simultaneously
- -can diagnose common diseases
- -cheap
Master Problem List
Summary of the patients problems and medical history. Includes updated list of DDx, plans and important test results until definitive diagnoses is made
What should be discussed with the owner in your treatment plan?
– best treatment and prognosis for each disease – probability the animal will recover with and without treatment – how much each treatment will cost
What should you use to monitor the efficacy and side-effects of therapies/treatment plans?
** learning objective**
progress notes in problem-oriented record system
the progress notes are written using the SOAP format
What does SOAP stand for?
** learning objective**
S- subjective- what the owner tells you
O- Objective- what you observe
A- Assessment- what you think is going on and if the treatment is working
P- Plan- what you intend to do
Why do we keep medical records?
** learning objective**
- legal requirement and important evidence should any disputes arise with a client
- To identify recurring problems and their most appropriate therapy
- Continuity of care in multi-vet practice
- Accurate costing an d financial management
- Research
Summarize the steps involved in diagnosing and treating a disease
–Signalment –Owners complaint and history –PE –Make problem list –determine a DDx list for each problem –Devise plan to Rule- in/-out each DDx for each problem –Revise DDx list as new information is generated –Make final diagnosis of each problem –Treat each problem –Monitor therapy –Keep accurate and thorough records
What is the general outline of how a physical exam is preformed? ** learning objective**
See notes… pretty basic stuff
Describe intracellular and extracellular spaces?
Intracellular space contains 2/3 of total body water (about 40% of body weight)- Cells are dehydrated first
Extracellular space has 1/3 of total body water; contains fluid that is not in the cells. Divided into 3 compartments
– Interstitial: ¾ of extracellular fluid
– Intravascular: mostly plasma; within blood vessels
– Transcellular: specialized fluid/areas (CSF, bile, synovial fluid, GI fluid)
What are three main reasons to give fluids?
Maintenance: the required volume needed per day to keep the patient in balance, with no change in total body water.
Dehydration: Decreased fluid in intracellular or interstitial spaces (intravascular space too if shock ensues).
Shock: Decreased fluid in intravascular space
What routes can you give fluids?
IV and SQ
IV is most appropriate for dehydration and shock
What is the normal PCV for dogs? grey hounds?
Dogs: 35-60%
Greyhounds: 65-70%
What is the best choice fluid if you have a unknown diagnosis and/or no lab results?
Crystalloid replacement fluids
In an “ideal world” what should you base your fluid type on?
Results of RBC count & chemistry profile (electrolytes, glucose)











