study questions wk 7 Flashcards
The lymph nodes are part of what body system?
lymphoid system
What are the two main functions of the lymph nodes?
- Production and storage site for lymphocytes
- Filter out Pathogens, Damaged cells, Cancer cells
peripheral lymph nodes that are palpable in the dog and cat
Inguinal, axillary, submandibular, popliteal, pre-scapular
Which superficial lymph nodes are usually not palpable unless they are
enlarged?
Inguinal and axillary
What abnormalities should you observe while palpating the nodes?
Pain, swelling, hot to the touch, compare bilaterally
Lymphadenectasis
a change in size and/or shape (texture) of the lymph nodes
Submandibular location
just rostral to the mandibular salivary gland at the angle of the mandible
Prescapular location
found along the anterior border of the supraspinatus of the scapula
Axillary locaton
Axillary region; armpit
Popliteal location
caudal to the stifle
Inguinal location
Inguinal region
What should you be observing for when palpating the muscles of the head and limbs?
Atrophy & symmetry
Atrophy
muscle degeneration
How should you perform the examination of an animal’s bones and joints?
Palpate each bone and joint for pain and swelling
crepitus
cracking; by friction between bone and cartilage or the fractured parts of a bone
Explain the process of examining the vertebrae. What would indicate that a
problem might exist?
Place pressure on each spinous process (along the spine); animal would flinch or drop away from the pressure
What observations are made when performing a basic nervous system exam?
“The Basics”
-ability to ambulate
-gait
-posture mental status
-awareness of surroundings
-response to stimuli
the general appearance of the animal should be observed when examining the nervous system. Specifically, what abnormalities would you observe?
-Dull mentation (QAR)
-ataxia (poor muscle control/clumsy)
-poor posture
-head tilt
What specific observation of the eye would be made during the examination of the nervous system?
Pupillary Light Reflex
How is the animal’s perception of deep and superficial pain assessed?
Toe pinch
panniculus reflex
Pinching or pricking the skin on the back just lateral to midline, start at area close to tail and slowly work
forward *Normal reflex is contraction of subcutaneous muscle (the crawl) at point of stimulus
How is the anal tone assessed?
Anus should be closed (not gaping open)
perineal reflex
Touch area around anus with forceps and watch for the “wink” (contraction of anal sphincter)
Normally the veterinarian will specify the route of administration to be used.
What are some of the factors that will be considered when making this
decision?
Duration of effect and speed of action
What is a subcutaneous injection and what types of medications are often given using this route?
An injection given beneath the skin, most often for vaccines
Intradermal injections
given within the dermal layer
subcutaneous injections
given beneath the dermal layer usually in the SC fat
Why are subcutaneous injections the most common parental injection used in small animal veterinary medicine?
Animals tolerate well, easy to administer
Isotonic
balanced concentration
Hypertonic
higher fluid concentration
Hypotonic
lower fluid concentration
What may result if a drug that is not isotonic is injected subcutaneously?
It may cause irritation and possibly necrosis
speed of absorption
SC sporadic absorption
IM quickly absorbed
speed of action
SC slower than IM
duration of action
SC longer duration than IM
aspirate once the needle is beneath the skin but before administering.
Describe what is being done and why?
You must pull back on the plunger to
determine whether you are in the SC layer and NOT in a blood vessel (blood) or outside the skin (air)
What are the anatomical sites that are commonly used to administer
intramuscular injections to dogs and cats?
Semimembranosus/semitendinosus,
quadricep muscle, triceps muscle
What precaution must be taken when administering drugs IM using the
semimembranosus or semitendinosus muscles? Why?
You MUST direct your needle away from the femur (caudally) so as not to hit the sciatic nerve, veins or arteries
What is the recommended length and gauge needles used to administer IM and SC injections to animal weighing less than 60 lb?
22g X ¾”
What is the purpose of swabbing the rubber stoppers of drug vials before
inserting a needle into the vial?
Wipe away any debris (aseptic technique)
You are administering an IM injection to a dog as you aspirate before injecting the drug, blood comes back into the needle hub and syringe. What does this indicate and what should you do? Why?
You may be in a blood vessel you
should come out and start over
You have just completed the intramuscular injection of a drug to Sam, a toy poodle. What information must be entered into Sam’s record?
Date, time, drug name, concentration, amount given and route given
You are administering a SC injection. As you are inserting the needle you meet resistance and the dog yelps in pain. What could be causing the problem that is being experienced?
Your needle may be up against the skin or at an incorrect angle also if your bevel is not up you may feel resistance
