First Aid Flashcards
Which legislature states that anyone can provide first aid care to an animal in need?
Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
What does ‘under direction of vet surgeon’ mean?
Vet surgeon doesn’t need to be present - just needs to be on premises
What does ‘direct continuous personal supervision’ mean?
Surgeon must be present and giving undivided attention at all times
What are some life-threatening conditions?
Severe bleeding, respiratory distress, collapse/unconsciousness, rapid abdominal distension, sudden neurological signs, severe V+/D+, bone fracture, witnessed ingestion of toxin, dystocia (obstructed labour)
What is a non-life-threatening condition?
Mild/moderate V+/D+, small wounds (minimal blood loss), polyuria/polydipsia, single seizure
What is cystitis?
Inflammation of bladder
What is haematemesis?
Vomiting blood
Which parameters should be measured in the primary survey?
Heart/pulse rate, temperature, RR and effort, capillary refill, mucous membrane colour, gait, mentation
What findings suggest severe respiratory distress?
Cyanosis, open mouth breathing (esp. cats), abducted elbows, extended neck, paradoxical respiratory movement, dilated pupils
What should be involved in the neurological assessment?
Can they feel limbs?- pain test digits, is gait normal, are they normally responsive, any seizures
What does obtunded mean?
Rousable
What does stuporous mean?
Rousable with painful stimuli
What is the purpose of the secondary survey?
Identify problems that could rapidly become life-threatening
What are signs of actual/impending cardiac arrest?
- Agonal gasping
- No heartbeat/weak and rapid pulses
- Loss of consciousness
- Fixed dilated pupils with no reflex
What are the common nasal emergencies?
Epistaxis (bleeding from nose), nasal foreign body
What are the common ocular emergencies?
Traumatic proptosis, foreign body, scratches/lacerations, ulcer, glaucoma, sudden-onset blindness
What is shock defined as?
The circulation not being able to transport enough oxygen to meet the tissues needs
What is hypovolaemic shock?
Reduced circulating blood volume
Loss of blood/fluids in haemorrhage/D+/V+
What is distributive shock?
Septic/ toxic/ anaphylactic/ neurogenic shock - loss of peripheral resistance (blood pools in small vessels)
What is cardiogenic shock?
Heart unable to pump sufficiently
What is obstructive shock?
Physical obstruction of the heart/major vessels
What is pericardial effusion?
Buildup of fluid in the pericardium
What is aortic thromboembolism?
Blood clot in aorta
What is hyperkalaemia?
Elevated potassium
What is hypoadrenocorticism?
Addison’s disease (adrenal glands produce insufficient hormones?
What is diabetic ketoacidosis?
Ketone buildup due to insufficient insulin
What are 3 urological emergencies?
Renal failure, urethral obstruction, uroabdomen
What timeframe is emesis effective? (toxins)
1-3 hours from ingestion
When should you not induce emesis?
Caustic/acidic substances, volatile petroleum
Patients with cardiac/laryngeal disease, seizing patients, patients that cannot vomit
What are some GI emergencies?
Obstructions, severe vomiting/diarrhoea, gastric dilation-volvulus (twisting)
What is paraphimosis?
Penis stuck
What are signs of respiratory distress in cats?
- 40+ breaths per min
- hunched over and hiding
- coughing
- open-mouthed breathing
What are signs of respiratory distress in dogs?
- 40+ breaths per min
- Coughing (night)
- Exercise intolerance
- Anxious and restless
- Sternal recumbency - will not lay on side
What is tension pneumothorax?
Air in the pleural space (life-threatening)
What are the nursing ABC’s?
Airway, Breathing, Circulation
