Trama

Question 1

Trauma is an injury caused by

Answer 1

 The animal striking or being struck by an object
 The animal being bit or scratched by another animal
 Environmental, chemical, or thermal insults to the animal

Question 2

Trauma patients often require:

Answer 2

	Suction equipment
	Intravenous fluids
	Radiographs or ultrasound studies
	Hematology, blood chemistry, blood gas analysis
	Surgical intervention
	Warming devices

Question 3

Phone consultation with pet owner at accident scene

Answer 3

 Be sure that is safe to retrieve pet
 Watch for vehicles, broken glass, spilled chemicals
 Avoid direct contact with blood of unknown origin
 Apply direct pressure to open wounds with clothing/towels
 Application of a muzzle may be necessary for safety reasons
 Minimize movement of patient
 Patient should be transported to hospital on a flat board or a box

Question 4

Patient Assessment

Answer 4

 Triage examination should be performed on arrival to the hospital to determine urgency of animal’s condition
 The primary examination of the trauma patient should follow the mnemonic ABC
 Life-threatening conditions are treated immediately when identified

Question 5

Airway

Answer 5

 Check for a patent airway
 Clinical signs of airway obstruction
 Possible causes of obstructed airway
 Treatment of obstructed airway

Question 6

Clinical signs of airway obstruction

Answer 6

Lack of breath,
dyspnea,
cyanosis

Question 7

Possible causes of obstructed airway

Answer 7

Upper respiratory tract/oral cavity inflammation,
FB,
blood and mucus accumulation

Question 8

Treatment of obstructed airway

Answer 8

Remove fluids or FB,
place ET tube,
perform tracheotomy

Question 9

Breathing

Answer 9

 Assess character of respiration
 Check oral mm’s
 Auscultate lungs
 Clinical signs of breathing abnormalities
 Possible causes of breathing difficulty

Question 10

Clinical signs of breathing abnormalities

Answer 10

Cyanosis,

dyspnea

Question 11

Possible causes of breathing difficulty

Answer 11

Pneumothorax,
hemothorax,
diaphragmatic hernia,
fractured ribs (flail chest)

Question 12

Circulation

Answer 12

 Check oral mm’s
 Auscultate heart rate
 Palpate pulse
 Clinical signs of cardiovascular abnormalities
 Possible causes of cardiovascular abnormalities
 Treatment of cardiovascular abnormalities

Question 13

Clinical signs of cardiovascular abnormalities

Answer 13

Tachycardia, arrhythmia, weak pulse, pale mm’s, prolonged CRT, cold extremities

Question 14

Possible causes of cardiovascular abnormalities

Answer 14

Hemorrhage, cardiac contusions

Question 15

Treatment of cardiovascular abnormalities

Answer 15

Stop hemorrhage (pressure bandage, clamps/ligatures, tourniquets), IV fluids (treatment for hypovolemic shock)

Question 16

Dysfunction of central nervous system

Answer 16

 Dysfunction of central nervous system
 Check animal’s awareness, responsiveness, attitude
 Look for obvious neurological problems
 Clinical signs of neurological abnormalities
 Possible causes:CNS tissue injury
 Treatment: Mannitol, glucocorticoids, immobilize animal on flat board

Question 17

Clinical signs of neurological abnormalities

Answer 17

Depression, 
seizures, 
unconsciousness, 
abnormal pupil size, 
abnormal PLR, 
abnormal posture (recumbency, hyperextension of limbs/back, paralysis)

Question 18

After initial assessment is completed baseline diagnostic tests may be ordered

Answer 18

 Blood pressure
 ECG tracing
 PCV/TS, BUN and glucose assays (blood gases, electrolytes)

Question 19

After initial stabilization additional diagnostic tests may be performed

Answer 19

 Radiographs/Ultrasound
 Complete CBC and blood chemistry panel, electrolytes, blood gases, coagulation tests
 Treatment of non-life-threatening injuries occurs when trauma patient fully stabilized

Question 20

After initial assessment and treatment is completed, additional procedures resuscitative procedures may be implemented as a second more complete physical examination of all organ systems is performed

Answer 20

	Oxygen supplementation
	Control of hemorrhage
	IV fluid administration
	Application of bandages and splints
	Administration of analgesics