Topic 11 - Clinic Routines

Question 1

Who are the most susceptible patients to disease?

Answer 1

neonates
elderly
stressed/injured/unwell

Question 2

What is the one of the single most important hygiene practices that helps to maintain aseptic technique you can implement and enforce in a practice?

Answer 2

HAND WASHING

Question 3

What is cleaning?

Answer 3

removal or dirt, visible soiling

Question 4

What is disinfection?

Answer 4

removal of most disease causing organisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi, but not necessarily spores) on inanimate objects using a chemical disinfectant
e.g. F10, bleach, Trigene

Question 5

What is antisepsis?

Answer 5

removal of most disease causing organisms from live tissue using antiseptics e.g. chlorhexidine, povidone iodine, alcohol

Question 6

What is asepsis?

Answer 6

destruction of all disease causing organisms using sterilisers e.g. autoclave, cold sterilisation

Question 7

At the start of each day the nurse ensure:

Answer 7

• clinic is undisturbed on arrival & has remained secure
• patients are alert/responsive
• all ambulatory patients are toileted
• removes soiled bedding & notes this on patients history
• cleans/disinfects cages, adds new bedding
• follows feeding plans
• checks treatment plans & administers meds
• checks fluid lines/pumps
• conducts TPR’s & records findings
• washes nights bedding
• morning rounds w/ vet to review cases & treatments

Question 8

During the day nurses duties include:

Answer 8

• monitor patients & provide ongoing treatment
• consult w/ vet on changes in patient
• prepare patients for discharge
• admit new cases

Question 9

Of an evening nurses ensure:

Answer 9

• all patients who are permitted food/water => fed/watered
• ambulatory patients toileted
• check fluid lines/pumps/bags
• all treatments/meds given
• all patients are written on board & files correctly located
• all clients have been given update on their animal
• all patients have clean, dry bedding
• all cages/doors secured
• lights/radio off
• clinic locked/phone set up
• on call vet has been briefed on all remaining cases

Question 10

Describe the requirements of a drug inventory

Answer 10

• drugs stored in easily retrievable manner
• unit retail cost recorded on drug
• dispensing fee added where appropriate
• separate group of drugs for emergency access
• keep an inventory of drugs for reference, stock control, pricing, rate of use, re-ordering etc
• ALWAYS place back on shelf after use

As a guide, stock of drugs on hand should be 1/6 of annual use