Principles of Clinical Practice Flashcards
In what 3 cases does pattern recognition work best?
- Clinical pattern is unique for a disorder2. Only a few possibilities that are easily remembered or can easily be ruled in or out by routine tests3. Vet has extensive experience, is well read and up to date, reviews all diagnoses critically and has excellent memory
What are the advantages of pattern recognition?
Quick, cost effective and vet looks good and is happy - when correct!
What is pattern recognition very dependent on?
Experience, knowledge, memory and whether the clincial signs have been matched correctly to previous diagnosis
What can be the risk of pattern recognising?
Tunnel vision - excluding all data that doesn’t “fit” and focusing on one’s hunch
What can pattern-based tunnel vision investigations possibly result in?
Wasted time, money and patient endangerment
Give examples of organs where significant pathology can occur without biochemical or haematological changes
Gastrointestinal TractNeuromuscularCardiorespiratorySpleenBrainLiver - especially catsPancreas - especially cats
Why can reliance on blood tests to confirm diagnoses be problematic?
Results don’t clearly confirm a diagnosis so time is wasted ans well as clients money without direction towards actual problem
Describe problem-based clinical reasoning
Each significant clinical problem is assessed in a structured manner beforebeing related to the other problems
What are the 5 essential steps in problem-based clinical reasoning?
- Construct a problem list2. Define the problem3. Define the system (How may it be inolved)4. Define the location with the system5. Define the lesion
How does a problem list benefit the vetenarian?
Helps make explicit clinical signsTransforms vague to more specificPrevents overlooking less obvious but crucial signsClarifies obvious differences in chronology of clinical signs or clues that suggest more than one disorder
What is the first question to ask when defining and refining a problem?
Is there another clinical sign that this problem could be confused with?
What is the main difference between vomiting and regurgitation?
Vomiting is an active process while regurgitation is passive
When the owner says their pet has diarrhoea, what else could this possibly be?
Discharge from the genital tract or anal sacs
What is the most important question to ask when presented with weight loss?
Is the animals appetite normal or reduced?
What can differ between problems that present similarly and why is it important then to define and refine the problem?
Range of diagnoses to consider, diagnostic tools and treatment or management optionsImportant as can waste time and money delaying treatment, prolonging disease and suffering and potentially endanger patient’s life
What is the different between primary and secondary involvement of a system in diagnosing?
Primary is a structural problem within the system that must be involvedSecondary is a functional problem within the system caused by a pathology outside the system
How does investigation of primary and secondary problems differ?
Primary usually involves imaging system or biopsySecondary haematology and biochemistry are often more important
What alternative question could be asked for problems instead of system based?
Is the problem local or systemic?
Why is identifying the location within a system usually important?
Will allow selection of most appropriate method to move onto the next step
What are the 8 types of pathology that can occur?
DevelopmentalDegenerationInfectionInflammationNeoplasiaNutritionalTraumaToxic
What does the type of pathology depend on when defining lesions?
Body system/organ involvedSignalment of the patiantGeographic locationWhat’s common within the population
What diagnostic tool is most useful for determing whether an animal is vomiting or regurgitating?
Radiographs - useless for vomiting but vital for regurgitation
What 6 things can maximise success in small animal examinations?
ThoroughnessGood rapport with ownerGood rapport with patientKnowing what’s normal for the speciesKnowing what’s normal for the breedKnowing the patient
What should you do when an owner enters the examination room?
Introduce yourselfGreet the animalMake sure you get gender and name right
What should you do before starting the physical aspect of the examination?
Look from a distance - locomotor and skin problemsListen as well - respiratory problems
What 5 things should you look for abnormalities in when in contact with the animal
SymmetryShapeSizeTexturePatient Response
Aside from the physical condition of an animal what else can suggest a problem?
The patient’s demeanour
What is the normal temperature range for dogs and cats?
37.5-38.5 degrees Celcius
What are the normal pulse rates for dogs and cats in consults?
Dogs - 60-120 bpmCats - 180-200 bpm
What is the normal respiratory rate for dogs and cats in consult?
12-30 breaths pm
What is body condition scoring?
A system used to determine quantitively whether an animal is too fat or too thin
What should be looked for in the ears during a physical examination of a small animal?
Hair or wax blocking ear canalSigns of infection
What things should the eyes be checked for in the physical exam of a small animal?
Signs of painIncreased blinking (Blepharospasm)Retraction of the eye (Enophthalmos)Excessive tearing (Lacrimation)Photophobia
What things should be assessed when examining the mucous membranes?
Colour - can be breed dependentCapillary refill time (1-2 seconds)Hydration - dry or moist
How can the hydration status of an animal be assessed during the physical exam?
Skin turgor - pinch and it doesn’t return to normal (not an accurate test of hydration)Eye positionMucous membranes
What should the submandibular lymph nodes feel like?
Peanuts that you can get your fingers all the way around
Describe how you would listen to the heart during a small animal physical exam
Listen on both sides of the thorax in the 3-5thintercostal spaces
Describe the process of lung auscultation during a small animal physical examination
Noughts and crosses - evaluate all lung fieldsCompare sidesCompare dorsal to ventralAll lung fields should have breath noises
Describe the process of abdominal palpation and what you would feel during a small animal physical examination
Systematic thorough approach starting slowlyCranial - Liver, spleen, stomach and kidneysMiddle - Intestinal loopsCaudal - Bladder, prostate and colon
What are the two pulses that should be checked and which can give an indication of circulation problems?
Femoral artery and metatarsal arteryMetatarsal pulse disappears faster than femoral pulse so if absent can be sign of problems