Topic 12: Managing in-patients

Question 1

Who are in-patients?

Answer 1

patients who are hospitalised for diagnostic work, medical treatment and recovery from surgical procedures

Question 2

Managing in-patients involves?

Answer 2

• taking regular observations
• keeping patients in a comfortable and hygienic state
• performing diagnostic procedures
• giving treatments
• recognising and responding to their physical and psychological needs
• managing medications, nutrition, indwelling IV catheters and fluids, indwelling urinary catheters, oxygen and feeding tubes, heating and cooling apparatus, and toileting
• doing everything to maximise their chance of recovery from injury and disease
• communicating with the veterinary treatment team
• communicating with and caring for the animal’s owners - the clients

Question 3

Why may some patients require urinary catheters?

Answer 3

• Assist in the emptying of the urinary bladder, eg in cases of urinary bladder paralysis
• Maintain the patency of the urethra, eg after relieving a urethrael obstruction
• Monitor and measure urine output

Question 4

Indications for cleaning external ear canal?

Answer 4

• Build-up of wax
• Yeast / bacterial / ear mite infections
• Prior to administration of topical medications or examination for foreign body

Question 5

List the equipment required for ear cleaning

Answer 5

• Otoscope
• Cotton wool / cotton balls / swabs
• Cotton buds
• Ear cleaner (commercially available)
• Non-sterile gloves
• Microscope slides +/- transport swabs

Question 6

Describe the ear cleaning procedure

Answer 6

1. Do not poke down further than you can see with your own eyes
2. examine ear using otoscope
3. to remove gross wax build up, use damp cotton ball w/ ear cleaner and gently wipe
4. Hold pinna upright in one hand, and squeeze sml amount of ear cleaner into vertical ear canal
5. Gently massage base of vertical ear canal from outside ear for several seconds
6. wipe out wax w/ cotton balls
7. Use cotton buds to clean crevices and folds

Question 7

What are the primary reasons for administering an enema?

Answer 7

• to empty the rectum
• to aid in diagnostics
• to introduce medicines

Question 8

What are some reasons we may want to empty the rectum?

Answer 8

• constipation/impaction
• preparation for radiographic imaging
• cleaning prior to endoscopy
• prior to drug admin to assist absorption

Question 9

Where is the best place to perform an enema?

Answer 9

Outside clinic in enclosed space

Question 10

List the equipment needed to perform an enema

Answer 10

• gloves (lots), aprons, protective shoes
• bucket of warm water, or warm soapy water
• hose and funnel
• lubricant
• liquid paraffin
• shampoo

Question 11

What are the five stages of grief?

Answer 11

• shock
• anger
• bargaining
• depression
• acceptance.

Question 12

What aims should you use when discussing euthanasia with a client?

Answer 12

• tact
• empathy
• discretion
• diplomacy

Question 13

When should toy discuss body disposal options with the client?

Answer 13

BEFORE euthanasia