Patient observation Flashcards

1
Q

When should your initial patient observation take place?

A

When client enters the practice before you make any approach to the animal

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2
Q

What is the purpose of admission questionaires?

A

Allow owners to tell you what is normal behaviour and routine

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3
Q

What are the 4 stages of patient assessment?

A

Subjective assessment
Objective assessment
Assessment
Planning

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4
Q

What is a subjective assessment?

A

Initial thoughts recorded on how patient is

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5
Q

What are signs of stress in dogs and cats?

A

Dogs- panting, tucked tail, shaking

Cats- pacing, hissing, vomiting

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6
Q

What order should you carry out the objective assessment?

A
Head
Upper respiratory tract/nose
Oral cavity
Mucus membranes
Eyes
Ears
Skin and hair
Forelimbs
Thorax
Abdomen
Pelvis and hind limbs
Tail
Anus and perineum
Reproductive organs
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7
Q

What should you observe in terms of head assessment?

A

Posture and carrying position- should be upright and no tilt
Musculature- should have symmetry, palpate and look
General appearance
Lymph nodes- palpate in neck for enlargement

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8
Q

What should you observe for upper respiratory tract?

A

Discharge- should be none, if present not colour and consistency
Moisture- should be moist
Adequate air flow- in cats and rabbits mouth breathing shows severe respiratory distress
Respiratory noise- should be none

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9
Q

Define stertor

A

Noise on expiration

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10
Q

Define stridor

A

Noise on inspiration

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11
Q

What should you observe in the oral cavity?

A

Outside and inside the mouth
Jaw movement and alignment
Tongue- check for any marks, cuts or ulcers
Teeth- any missing, wear, gum disease, plaque, smell
Hard and soft palettes- any abnormalities, wounds
Skin and hair around mouth- excess salivation

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12
Q

What should you observe with mucus membranes?

A

Moisture- should be moist when hydrated
Colour- should be pink
CRT- should be less than 2 seconds

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13
Q

What are possible causes of pale MMs?

A

Poor perfusion
Haemorrhage
Anaemia

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14
Q

What are possible causes of red MMs?

A

Sepsis
Fever
Congested tissues

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15
Q

What are possible causes of blue/hypoxic MMs?

A

Hypoxaemia

Respiratory issues

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16
Q

What are possible causes of yellow MMs?

A

Liver disease
RBC destruction
Bile issues

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17
Q

What needs to be observed for eyes?

A

Openness
Compare both eyes for size, protrusion etc
Discharge- should be none, not colour and consistency
Eyelids- third eyelid coming across, upper or lower eyelid rotation
Pupils- general assessment, light reflex, pupil size, ulcers, scratches
Sclera colour

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18
Q

Define blepharospasm

A

Squinting eyes

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19
Q

Define entropion

A

Internal rotation of eyelid margin

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20
Q

Define ectropion

A

External rotation of eyelid margin

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21
Q

Define anicosia

A

Unequal pupil size

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22
Q

What should you observe in the ears?

A

Ear pinnae- check for aural haematoma, injuries

Ear canal- should be no discharge, smell, foreign bodies, or inflammation

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23
Q

What should you observe for skin and hair?

A

Coat- condition- should be shiny, check for alopecia and thickness
Skin condition- should be no redness, flaking or wounds, check colour, elasticity
Ectoparasites- should be no fleas or ticks

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24
Q

What should you observe for forelimbs?

A

Movement, gait and range of motion- flex and extend for pain or crepitus
Muscles- any wastage
Proprioception- can limbs be replaced
Visuals- lumps, changes or injuries, symmetry

25
Q

Define crepitus

A

Bone crunching

26
Q

What should you observe for thorax?

A

Respiratory rate and effort- auscultate chest

Vertebrae, sternum and ribs- palpate and looks, observe weight score

27
Q

What should you observe for the abodomen?

A

Visual and palpate- check for lumps, foreign bodies, injuries, check internal organs
Posture

28
Q

What should you observe for pelvis and hind limbs?

A

Movement, gait and range of motion- observe and flex and extend
Visual check of bones and musculature
Proprioception
Femoral pulse- circulation status

29
Q

What should you observe for the tail?

A

Palpate length and check for movement- normal and voluntary , observe any pain or damage

30
Q

What should you observe for anus and perineum?

A

Soiling, discharge or anal gland problems
Masses, prolapse or perineal ruptures
Temperature

31
Q

What should you observe for reproductive organs?

A

Check sex
Males- 2 descending testicles, no penis injury or discharge
Females- no vulval discharge or swelling

32
Q

What are further parameters which should be assessed in pateints?

A
Urination
Water intake
Vomiting
Defecation
Appetite
Coughing
Pain
33
Q

How should you assess urination status?

A

Appearence- colour, blood present, darkness, cloudiness, sediments
Smell
Volume- 1-2ml/kg/hr, should be passed easily

34
Q

Define anuira

A

Absence of urine

35
Q

Define dysuria

A

Painful urination

36
Q

Define haematuria

A

Blood in urine

37
Q

Define polyuria

A

Frequent large urine volumes passed

38
Q

Define oliguria

A

Reduce urine production

39
Q

What should you observe for vomiting?

A
Colour
Consistency
Contents
Frequency
Volume
40
Q

What are signs of vomiting?

A

Retching
Hyperventilation
Lipsmacking

41
Q

Define haematemesis

A

Blood in vomit

42
Q

Define stercoaceous

A

Vomiting faecal matter

43
Q

Define regurgitation

A

Bringing up swallowed food into the mouth

44
Q

What should you observe for water intake and what effects volume needed?

A

Volume taken in

Factors that effect water intake- diabetes, exercise, food types

45
Q

Define polydipsia and what are signs?

A

Excessive thirst

Signs- dry mouth, loss of skin elasticity, drinking over maintainance

46
Q

What causes changes to appetite?

A

Stress
Illness
Exercise
Food

47
Q

Define inappetence

A

Lack of appetite

48
Q

Define dysphagia

A

Swallowing difficulty

49
Q

Define pica

A

Eating non food items compulsively

50
Q

Define anorexia

A

Not eating

51
Q

Define coprophagia

A

Eating faeces

52
Q

What should be observed when patient is coughing?

A

Nature- dry, harsh, moist, discharge

If infectious or respiratory/CV problem

53
Q

What are signs of pain?

A
Reluctance to move
Changed posture
Restlessness
Anxiety
Altered mental state
Aggression
Guarding
Inappetence
54
Q

What should you observe for defecation?

A

Colour
Smell
Shape
Consistency

55
Q

Define constipation

A

Hard and dry stool

56
Q

Define tenesmus

A

Straining to defecate

57
Q

Define melaena

A

Fresh blood in faeces

58
Q

Define haematochezia

A

Dark faeces containing partially digested blood