Medicine, diagnostics & clinical reasoning Flashcards
What is a differential and what are they used for?
- Possible ideas as to what might be wrong
- Used to determine diagnostic tests to run that confirm/deny the diagnosis
What is signalment? (5)
The patients basic characteristics including;
1. age
2. gender
3. entire vs desexed/neutered
4. breed
5. species
What is your role in taking a history?
- detailed questioning of the owner
Examples of questions to ask:
- worming
- vaccinations
- lifestyle
- other animals?
- previous conditions?
- weight loss
- food/diet change
- recent medication?
- acute vs chronic?
- blood?
What does NAD mean?
No Abnormality Detected
When writing a problem list, start with ___ to ____ specific
most; least
The problem list is used to create ….
a differential diagnosis
Order the diagnosis list from _____ to ____ likely
most; least
When making diagnostic and treatment plans, take into account…. (4)
- cost
- invasiveness
- speed of results
- convenience
After diagnosing and making a treatment plan, let the owner know the …..
Prognosis
- how long
- what should the expect
- likelihood of full recovery
- when to call back
What are the two types of diagnostic tests?
In vivo
In vitro
What is an in vivo diagnostic test?
- Observation, imaging (radiographs, ultrasound, endoscopy etc),
- Therapeutic trials
What is an in vitro diagnostic test?
Analysis of samples collected (fluid, tissue)
List some types of in vivo tests (5)
- Radiography
- Ultrasound
- Endoscopy
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
List some types of in vitro tests (8)
- Haematology
- Clinical chemistry
- Cytology
- Fluid analysis
- Histology
- Microbiology
- Serology
- Toxicology
What are common “in house” tests to run?
- Basic blood tests CBC & MBA
- Stool tests (Fecal flotations, Fecal egg counts)
- Urine tests (Dipstick, USG)
- Basic cytology (Fine needle aspirate, Vaginal cytology)
- Basic skin tests (Scrapes, hair plucks)
Who is responsible for formulating Tx plan?
Veterinarians
Who is responsible for delivering in-house Tx?
Veterinarians & Vet Techs
Types of treatments/therapy? (4)
- Drugs/medicines
- Dietary changes
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
What does IV mean?
Intravenous
What does SC/SQ stand for?
Subcutaneous
What does IM mean?
Intramuscular
What does topical mean?
Treatments applied directly to the surface of the body, like the skin or mucous membranes
What are other routes of delivering treatment? (3)
- Inhalation - Anaesthesia (gaseuous)
- Intranasal - Vaccines
- Rectal - Emergency administration
