Patient Preparation Ch.2 Objectives. Flashcards
Explain the importance of effective communication and the role of the veterinary technician in communication.
Veterinarians depend on accurate information at all stages of the procedure to make effective patient care decisions. Clients need clear instructions and answers to questions before the procedure, as well as progress reports and home care instructions after the procedure.
Effective communication in veterinary practice is crucial for building trust with clients, ensuring accurate understanding of their pet’s health concerns, and facilitating informed decision-making about treatment plans
List the reasons for preoperative patient evaluation.
A preoperative evaluation in veterinary medicine assesses a patient’s health and determines their ability to tolerate anesthesia and surgery. The evaluation helps to reduce the risk of complications and ensures the patient’s safety and comfort.
A preoperative patient evaluation is conducted to:
-Identify potential risks:
Assess a patient’s overall health status to identify any existing medical conditions that could complicate surgery or anesthesia, allowing for appropriate management strategies to minimize risks during and after the procedure.
-Optimize patient condition:
Address modifiable risk factors like uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, or bleeding disorders before surgery to improve the patient’s physiological state for surgery.
-Determine appropriate anesthesia plan.
-Plan for post-operative care:
Anticipate potential complications based on the patient’s medical history and surgical procedure, allowing for appropriate post-operative monitoring and management strategies.
-Review medication history:
Identify any medications that may need to be adjusted or discontinued before surgery to avoid interactions with anesthesia.
-Order necessary laboratory tests.
List the parts of a minimum patient database.
Minimum patient database, is used to make patient care decisions. If the information obtained about a given animal reveals a potential problem, the veterinarian may choose to alter, postpone, or even cancel the anesthetic procedure.
The minimum patient database consists of the following:
1. Patient history, including the patient signalment
2. Complete physical examination findings
3. Results of a preanesthetic diagnostic workup
Take a complete history, and identify findings that affect anesthetic event planning.
When obtaining the history, determine each of the following:
* The signalment
* Current and past illnesses
* Medications currently being administered
* Allergies or drug reactions
* The status of preventive care
Identify ways in which patient signalment influences the anesthetic procedure and patient management.
The species, breed, age, sex, and reproductive status are collectively known as the signalment. The signalment is important in planning the anesthetic procedure, as each data point influences the anesthetic plan, drug doses, and many other actions related to patient management
Discuss the rationale for obtaining the owner’s consent for anesthesia.
Obtaining the owner’s consent for anesthesia is crucial because it ensures that the pet owner fully understands the risks and benefits associated with the anesthetic procedure, allowing them to make an informed decision about their pet’s care, respecting their autonomy, and minimizing potential legal complications for the veterinarian if any adverse events occur during anesthesia
How do you perform a preanesthetic physical assessment.
This system is used to assess the patient’s overall health preoperatively by placing the patient into one of five grades ranging from a normal, healthy patient (class PS1) to one that is moribund and not expected to survive without the surgery (class PS5). In general, class PS1 and class PS2 patients can be anesthetized with standard anesthetic protocols. Class PS3 to PS5 patients often require special protocols, and should be stabilized before surgery if possible.
Relate the patient signalment, body weight, and patient condition to the selection and use of anesthetic agents and adjuncts.
A patient’s signalment (species, breed, age, sex, reproductive status), body weight, and overall health condition directly influence the choice and dosage of anesthetic agents and adjuncts used during a procedure, as each factor can affect how an animal metabolizes and responds to medications, requiring tailored anesthetic protocols to ensure safety and efficacy.
Assign a patient to one of the five physical status classifications as specified by the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
PS 1- zero underlying disease healthy animal
PS 2- Slight risk, minor disease present
PS3-Moderate risk, obvious disease present
PS 4- High risk, patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life
PS5-Extreme risk, moribund patient that is not expected to survive without the operation
Describe the components of preanesthetic preparation, including diagnostic testing, choice of protocol, withholding of food, and correction of preexisting problems.
Common preanesthetic diagnostic tests and procedures include CBC, blood chemistries, parasite screens, UA, serologic tests, coagulation screen, ECG and thoracic radiographs. Pre-Op BW. Choice of protocol can be influenced by facilities and equipment, familiarity with the agent, nature of the procedure, circumstances specific to the procedure, cost, and degree of urgency. Patient’s should fast 12 hrs before Sx this reduces risk for aspiration (Fluid into the lungs). Preexisting problems should be corrected before Sx to reduce the risk of complications this can include heart complications, infections etc.
List the reasons why an intravenous (IV) catheter is advisable for anesthetized patients.
It provides a reliable and immediate route to administer medications like anesthetic agents, pain relievers, fluids, and other vital drugs during surgery, allowing for rapid response to any changes in the patient’s condition, maintaining proper hydration, and enabling blood draws when necessary.
Describe the types of IV fluids that are used during anesthesia and why each might be chosen.
During anesthesia, the most commonly used IV fluids are isotonic crystalloid solutions like normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) and lactated Ringer’s solution.
-Synthetic colloids are administered IV in moderate volumes in animals with shock, hypotension, or blood loss.
- Hypertonic saline solutions are administered in small volumes to patients with shock and blood loss when blood volume expansion is necessary.
Calculate IV fluid infusion rates.
All IV fluids are solutions consisting of one or more solutes dissolved in water. Most IV fluids contain one or more electrolytes. Dextrose, a naturally occurring form of glucose, is another ingredient present in some fluids. To calculate IV fluid infusion rates: 10 mL/kg/hr during the first hour followed by 5 mL/kg/hr during the remainder of the procedure
