History and Physical Key Terms Flashcards
The most common veterinary procedure and tells more about a patient than any other diagnostic tool
Physical Examination
What does VCPR stand for?
Veterinarian Client Patient Relationship
What are the 5 VT responsibilities during the physical exam?
- Vitals
- Restraining Patient
- Interviewing client for presenting problem
- Body Systems History
- Body Systems Review
The detailed questions about the body systems involved in the presenting problem
Body Systems History
The overview of the body systems to note any additional problems the animal may have
Body Systems Review
The first step of an exam
Medical History
Takes into account the patient’s emotional wellbeing such as fear triggers, treat preferences, where and how they like or dislike being handled, and behavioral nutraceuticals and/or meds that have worked in the past
Emotional Medical Record
What types of questions should you ask when interviewing the owner in order to get the most detailed response possible and avoid yes/no answers
Open-Ended Questions
The overall but concise patient description used to share basic facts about the animal to the vet
Signalment
What 4 pieces of info are included in the Signalment?
- Age
- Gender
- Breed
- Reproductive Status (neutered or not)
What are the 5 key components of a thorough history?
- Identify the presenting problem
- Completing a medical history
- Completing an environmental history
- Completing an emotional history
- Reviewing the body systems
What should the VT say to the client upon entry to the exam room if the presenting problem is:
- known at client arrival
- unknown at client arrival
- Confirm and reiterate the problem - “Hi, Mrs. Jones. I see Marley is here to see Dr. Smith today because he has been scratching his ears.”
- Ask the client - “Hi Mrs. Jones. Tell me why Marley needs to see Dr. Smith today.”
What 4 things should the VT ask once the presenting problem is confirmed?
- When did this problem begin?
- Has the problem gotten better or worse?
- Has the animal ever experienced this problem before?
- What are the characteristics and details of the problem?
Details about the animal’s current living situation
Environmental History
What 4 things should the VT ask the client regarding patient environmental history?
“Oh dam that’s how you live?”
1. Ownership Details
2. Diet
3. Environment
4. Medications
The Circulatory System includes what 3 things?
- Heart
- Blood
- Blood Vessels
The Respiratory System includes what 7 things?
- Nose
- Mouth
- Pharynx
- Larynx
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Lungs
The Integumentary system includes what 8 things?
- Skin
- Scales
- Hair
- Paws
- Hooves
- Feathers
- Horns
- Nails
The Musculoskeletal System includes what 6 things?
- Bones
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Connective Tissues
- Joints
The Gastrointestinal System includes what 8 things?
- Mouth
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Intestines
- Anus
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Pancreas
The Urogenital System includes what 5 things?
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Bladder
- Urethra
- Reproductive Organs
The Nervous System includes what 3 things?
- Brain
- Spinal Cord
- Nerves
What are the 6 Vital Statistics you must collect at the beginning of every physical exam?
- Weight
- HR
- RR
- Mucous Membrane Color
- CRT
- Temperature
What type of scale do you use for dogs/cat > 20 lbs?
Platform Scale
What type of scale do you use for dogs/cats < 20 lbs?
Infant Scale
What type of scale do you use for small animals < 2 lbs?
Gram Scale
What type of scale do you use for horses and other farm animals?
Walk-On Scale
If a walk-on scale is not available, what is another way to determine the weight of a horse?
Heart-Girth Tape
Listening with a stethoscope to the body’s various functions
Auscultation
Feeling with your hands and/or fingers
Palpating
How do you calculate Heart Rate?
HR (beats per min) = # beats over 15 sec x 4
What is the “lub” sound caused by in a normal heart beat?
The mitral and tricuspid valves closing
What is the “dub” sound caused by in a normal heart beat?
The aortic and pulmonary valves closing
An abnormal heart rate or heart rhythm
Arrythmia
Abnormally slow heart rate
Bradycardia
Abnormally fast heart rate
Tachycardia
When the HR increases when the animal inhales and decreases when the animal exhales
Respiratory Sinus Arrythmia
An abnormal sound caused by the improper closure of the heart valves or other cardiac diseases - causes a “whooshing” sound
Murmur
How do you calculate pulse rate?
PR (pulse beats per minute) = # pulse beats over 15 sec x 4
Where can you find the femoral artery for palpation?
Palpate the medial thigh where the femur bone meets the trunk of the body
The heart rate should be synchronous with what?
Pulse Rate
How do you note the Character of the pulse?
Whether it is:
- Strong = easily palpated
- Weak = difficult to palpate
- Bounding = excessive pressure
- Thready = weak and feels like a small thread moving under your fingers
What is considered 1 Full Respiration?
1 breath = 1 inhalation + 1 exhalation
Where do you place the diaphragm of the stethoscope when auscultating for heart rate?
Thorax near the left axilla
Where do you place the diaphragm of the stethoscope when auscultating for respiratory rate?
Left side of the thorax - approximately the 3rd rib
What are the 2 methods to determine respiration rate?
- Auscultation
- Visualization
What are the 4 Lung Fields?
- Left Dorsal
- Left Ventral
- Right Dorsal
- Right Ventral
When auscultating the lung fields, what 3 things are you noting?
- Depth - deep breaths vs shallow?
- Effort - effortless or difficult to breathe?
- Character - smooth or abnormal?
Abnormal Character of Respiration - harsh noises that sound like crumpling cellophane paper
Crackles
Abnormal Character of Respiration - high pitched musical noises heard on exhalation
Wheezes
Abnormal Character of Respiration - high pitched noises on inhalation or exhalation
Stridor
How do you calculate respiratory rate?
RR (breaths per minute) = # breaths over 15 seconds x 4
Reflection of the perfusion and peripheral tissues
Capillary Refill Time (CRT)
What should the CRT be?
< 2 seconds
How do you determine CRT?
Press down on the gums until blanched > count how many seconds it takes for them to return to normal color
How far in should a rectal thermometer be placed?
1 inch
99.5 -102.5 is the normal temperature for what species?
Dogs
100.5 -102.5 is the normal temperature for what species?
Cats
99 - 101 is the normal temperature for what species?
Horses
100 - 102 is the normal temperature for what species?
Cows
101 - 104 is the normal temperature for what species?
Sheep
80 - 140 is the normal HR/PR for what species?
Young Dog
140 - 200 is the normal HR/PR for what species?
Young and Adult Cat
60 - 80 is the normal HR/PR for what species?
Young Horse
100 - 150 is the normal HR/PR for what species?
Young Cows