Veterinary Nursing Assistant Level 2 Diploma - Unit 1 - Principles of Animal Health Flashcards
1
Q
What does dorsal mean?
A
the surface along the back
2
Q
What is the surface along the back called?
A
dorsal
3
Q
What does ventral mean?
A
the abdominal surface
4
Q
What is the abdominal surface called?
A
ventral
5
Q
What does caudal mean?
A
towards the tail
6
Q
What is towards the tail called?
A
caudal
7
Q
What does cranial mean?
A
towards the head
8
Q
What is towards the head called?
A
cranial
9
Q
What does rostral mean?
A
towards the nose (this is a term used when considering the head)
10
Q
What is towards the nose called?
A
rostral
11
Q
What does lateral mean?
A
further away from this line, or away from the centre of the dog
12
Q
What is further away from this line, or away from the centre of the dog called?
A
lateral
13
Q
What does medial mean?
A
closer to this central line, or closer to the centre of the dog
14
Q
What is closer to this central line or closer to the centre of the dog called?
A
medial
15
Q
What does proximal mean?
A
closer to the body
16
Q
What is closer to the body called?
A
proximal
17
Q
What does distal mean?
A
further from the body
18
Q
What is further from the body called?
A
distal
19
Q
What can proximal/distal be used to describe?
A
positions on the limb/bone
20
Q
What terms can be used to describe positions on the limb/bone?
A
proximal/distal
21
Q
What does palmar mean?
A
the walking surface of the forepaw
22
Q
What is the walking surface of the forepaw called?
A
palmar
23
Q
What does plantar mean?
A
the walking surface of the hindpaw
24
Q
What is the walking surface of the hindpaw called?
A
plantar
25
What can dorsal also be used to describe?
The top surfaces of the feet
26
What can the top surfaces of the feet be called?
dorsal
27
When are anatomical directions used?
all the time but particularly when using radiography
28
Why are anatomical directions used?
so that the team knows which position the animal needs to be in for the correct radiographic view.
also to describe where an injury is or where an incision may need to be made for surgery.
29
What does dorso-ventral (DV) mean in regards to x-rays?
The animal is lying on the x-ray table with its dorsal surface uppermost and the x-ray beam will pass through the animal and pass through the dorsal surface first
30
What is it called when the animal is lying on the x-ray table with its dorsal surface uppermost and the x-ray beam will pass through the animal and pass through the dorsal surface first?
dorso-ventral (DV)
31
What does ventro-dorsal (VD) mean in regards to x-rays?
The animal is lying on the x-ray table with its ventral surface uppermost so that the x-ray beam passes through that surface first
32
What is it called when the animal is lying on the x-ray table with its ventral surface uppermost so that the x-ray beam passes through that surface first?
ventro-dorsal (VD)
33
What does lateral mean in regards to x-rays?
the animal is lying on its side
34
What is it called when the animal is lying on its side on the x-ray table?
lateral
35
What does right lateral recumbency mean in terms of x-rays?
the animal is lying with its right side on the table
36
What does left lateral recumbency mean?
the animal is lying with its left side on the table
37
What does dorso-palmar (D-Pa) mean in regards to x-rays?
the animal’s front paw is positioned with the walking surface on the table and the dorsal surface uppermost
38
What is it called when the animal’s front paw is positioned with the walking surface on the table and the dorsal surface uppermost?
dorso-palmar (D-Pa)
39
What does dorso-plantar (D-Pl) mean in regards to x-rays?
the animal’s hind paw is positioned with the walking surface on the table and dorsal surface uppermost
40
What is it called when the animal’s hind paw is positioned with the walking surface on the table and dorsal surface uppermost?
dorso-plantar (D-Pl)
41
What are directional terms used for?
directional terms are used to describe the positions of parts of the body relative to each other
42
What are directional terms based on?
directional terms are based on a quadruped animal standing squarely
43
What does dorsal recumbency mean?
the animal is lying on its back
44
How far does the dorsal aspect extend?
the dorsal aspect extends along the top of the head, down the back, and the topside of the tail
45
How far does the ventral aspect extend?
the ventral aspect extends along the underside of the head, along the belly, and the underside of the tail
46
At what point in the foreleg does terminology change?
carpus
47
At what point in the hindleg does terminology change?
tarsus
48
What three parts make up words?
prefix
root
suffix
49
Root Word - Arthr(o)
Meaning
Example
joint or articulation
arthritis - inflammation of a joint
50
Root Word - Cardi(o)
Meaning
Example
heart
cardiology - the study of the heart
51
Root Word - Chondr(o)
Meaning
Example
Cartilage
Chondrocyte - cartilage cell
52
Root Word - Cyst(o)
Meaning
Example
Bladder/bag
Cystitis - inflammation of urinary bladder
53
Root Word - Derm(ato)
Meaning
Example
Skin
Dermatitis - inflammation of the skin
54
Root Word - Gloss(o) Lingual
Mean
Example
Tongue
Hypoglossal - below the tongue (also-sublingual)
55
Root Word - Hepat(o)
Meaning
Example
Liver
Hepatocyte - liver cell
55
Root Word - Haem(ato/o)
Meaning
Example
Haemorrhage - escape of blood from a blood vessel
56
Root Word - Histo(io/o)
Meaning
Example
Tissue
Histology - study of tissues
57
Root Word - Mamm(o)/Mast(o)
Meaning
Example
Mammary gland
Mastectomy - surgical removal of mammary gland
Mammogram - radiograph of mammary gland
58
Root Word - Metr(a/o)
Meaning
Example
Uterus
Metritis - inflammation of the uterus
59
Root Word - My(o)
Meaning
Example
Muscle
Myositis - inflammation of a muscle
60
Root Word - Neur(o)
Meaning
Example
Nerve
Neuron - nerve cell
61
Root Word - Ophthalm(o)
Meaning
Example
Eye
Ophthalmoscope - instrument to view inside the eye
62
Root Word - Orchi(d)
Meaning
Example
Testis (testicle)
Cryptorchid - having an undescended testicle
63
Root Word - Oste(o)
Meaning
Example
Bone
Osteomyelitis - inflammation of bone
64
Root Word - Phag(o)
Meaning
Example
Eating
Phagocytosis - eating of a particles by a cell
65
Pneum(o)
Meaning
Example
Air/gas/lung
Pneumothorax - free air in the thorax
66
Root Word - -pnoea
Meaning
Example
Breathing
Apnoea - no breathing
67
Root Word - Ren
Meaning
Example
Kidney
Renal artery - blood vessel supplying the kidney
67
Root Word - Rhin
Meaning
Example
Nose
Rhinitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose
68
Root Word - Trich(o)
Meaning
Example
Hair
Trichosis - disease of the hair
69
Root Word - Vas
Meaning
Example
Vessel or duct
Vascular - about blood vessels
70
Prefix - A-
Meaning
Example
Without/Not
Avascular - without a blood supply
71
Prefix - Anti-
Meaning
Example
Counteracting
Antihistamine - inhibits the effects of histamine
72
Prefix - Ante-, Pre-
Meaning
Example
Before
Antenatal - before birth
73
Prefix - Brady-
Meaning
Example
Slow
Bradycardia - slow heart rate
74
Prefix - Cyto-
Meaning
Example
Cell
Cytotoxic - damaging to cells
75
Prefix - Dys-
Meaning
Example
Difficult or impaired
Dysplasia - abnormal development
76
Prefix - Ecto-
Meaning
Example
On the external surface
Ectoparasite - parasite on the skin surface
77
Prefix - Endo-
Meaning
Example
Within
Endoparasite - parasite within the body
78
Prefix - Epi-
Meaning
Example
Upon/outside of
Epidermis - outer layer of skin
79
Prefix - Eryth(ro)
Meaning
Example
Red
Erythrocyte - red blood cell
80
Prefix - Hyper-
Meaning
Example
Excessive/increased
Hypertrophy - increased size of tissue or organ
81
Prefix - Hypo-
Meaning
Example
Decreased; deficient; beneath
Hypothermia - low body temperature
82
Prefix - Peri-
Meaning
Example
Around; in the region of
Peri-anal - around the anus
83
Prefix - Poly-
Meaning
Example
Many, much
Polyoestrus - having more than one oestrus cycle per year
84
Prefix - Post-
Meaning
Example
After; behind
Postmortem - after death
85
Prefix - Pyo-
Meaning
Example
Pus
Pyometra - pus in the uterus
86
Prefix - Tachy-
Meaning
Example
Rapid
Tachycardia - elevated heart rate
87
Suffix - -aemia
Meaning
Example
Relates to the blood
Viraemia -virus particles in the blood
88
Suffix - -cyte
Meaning
Example
A cell
Erythrocyte
89
Suffix - -ectomy
Meaning
Example
Surgical removal of
Thyroidectomy - surgical removal of the thyroid
90
Suffix - -genic
Meaning
Example
Causing
Pathogenic - causing disease
91
Suffix - ia/iasis
Meaning
Example
Condition or state
Hypoplasia - incomplete development of an organ
92
Suffix - -itis
Meaning
Example
Inflammation
Arthritis - inflammation of a joint
93
Suffix - -oma
Meaning
Example
Tumour or neoplasm
Sarcoma - malignant tumour
94
Suffix - -osis
Meaning
Example
Disease state
Osteochondrosis - a developmental disease of articular surface
95
Suffix - -ostomy
Meaning
Example
Surgical opening
Tracheostomy - opening into the trachea
96
What is meant by acute?
Sudden onset or short-term
97
What is the term for sudden onset or short-term?
Acute
98
What is meant by adenopathy?
Swollen glands
99
What is the term for swollen glands?
Adenopathy
100
What is meant by alopecia?
Hair loss
101
What is the term for hair loss?
Alopecia
102
What is meant by amnesia?
Memory loss
103
What is the term for memory loss?
Amnesia
104
What is meant by anaemia?
Low red blood cell count
105
What is the term for low red blood cell count?
Anaemia
106
What is meant by anorexia?
Loss of appetite
107
What is the term for loss of appetite?
Anorexia
108
What is meant by arrhythmia?
Irregular or change in hearbeat
109
What is the term for irregular or change in heartbeat?
Arrhythmia
110
What is meant by ataxia?
Unsteady movement
111
What is the term for unsteady movement?
Ataxia
112
What is meant by bradycardia?
Slow heart rate
113
What is the term for slow heart rate?
Bradycardia
114
What is meant by chronic?
Continues over a long time or long term
115
What is the term for continues over a long time or long term
Chronic
116
What is meant by distension?
Bloated or swollen
117
What is the term for bloated or swollen?
Distension
118
What is meant by dyspepsia?
Upset stomach
119
What is the term for upset stomach?
Dyspepsia
120
What is meant by dyspnea?
Hard to breath
121
What is the term for hard to breath?
Dyspnea
122
What is meant by dysuria?
Difficulty urinating
123
What is the term for difficult urinating?
Dysuria
124
What is meant by Edema?
Swelling
125
What is the term for swelling?
Edema
126
What is meant by Emesis?
Vomiting
127
What is the term for vomiting?
Emesis
128
What is meant by Fatigue?
Tiredness
129
What is the term for tiredness?
Fatigue
130
What is meant by Fibrillation?
Irregular heartbeat or other muscles
131
What is the term for irregular heartbeat or other muscles?
Fibrillation
132
What is meant by Flushing?
Blood to the surface of the skin
133
What is the term for blood to the surface of the skin?
Flushing
134
What is meant by Haematoma?
Bruise
135
What is the term for bruise?
Haematoma
136
What is meant by Haematochezia?
Passing stool with blood in
137
What is the term for passing stool with blood in?
Haematochezia
138
What is meant by Haematirua?
Blood in urine
139
What is the term for blood in urine?
Haematuria
140
What is meant by hypertension?
High blood pressure
141
What is the term for high blood pressure?
Hypertension
142
What is meant by Hyperphagia?
Excessive hunger
143
What is the term for excessive hunger?
Hyperphagia
144
What is meant by Hyperpnea?
An increase in respiration rate
145
What is the term for an increase in respiration rate?
Hyperpnea
146
What is meant by Hypotension?
Low blood pressure
147
What is the term for low blood pressure?
Hypotension
148
What is meant by Inflammation?
Swelling and heat as an immune response
149
What is the term for swelling and heat as an immune response?
Inflammation
150
What is meant by Insomnia?
Unable to sleep
151
What is the term for unable to sleep?
Insomnia
152
What is meant by Lethargy?
Sleepiness
153
What is the term for Sleepiness?
Lethargy
154
What is meant by Nausea?
Sickness to the stomach
155
What is the term for sickness to the stomach?
Nausea
156
What is meant by Polydipsia?
Excessive thirst
157
What is the term for excessive thirst?
Polydipsia
158
What is meant by Polyuria?
Excessive urination
159
What is the term for excessive urination?
Polyuria
160
What is meant by Stranguria?
Painful urination
161
What is the term for painful urination?
Stranguria
162
What is meant by Stomatitis?
Inflammation of the mouth, mouth sores
163
What is the term for inflamation of the mouth, mouth sores?
Stomatitis
164
What is meant by Tachycardia?
Fast heart rate
165
What is the term for fast heart rate?
Tachycardia
166
What is meant by Carcinogenic?
Having the potential to cause cancer
167
What is meant by Conjunctivitis?
Inflammation of the conjunctiva
168
What is meant by Hepatitis?
Inflammation of the liver
169
What is meant by Carditis?
Inflammation of the heart
170
What is meant by Splenectomy?
Surgery to remove a diseased or damaged spleen
171
What is meant by Gastrotomy?
Surgical incision into the stomach
172
What is meant by Gastrectomy?
a surgical procedure where all or part of the stomach is surgically removed
173
What is meant by Dyspnoea?
Sudden shortness of breath, or breathing difficulty
174
What is meant by Dysphagia?
Swallowing difficulties
175
Why are routine health checks important when caring for animals?
To identify any changes as soon as possible
To enable you to seek professional help if needed
To prevent a problem from developing further
As part of establishing a positive relationship between animal and carer
176
How often should visual checks be carried out when working in the animal care industry?
Daily
177
How often should physical health checks be carried out when working in the animal care industry?
Once a Week at a minimum
However, it is recommended to carry out a physical health check daily, as this can be done when petting your animals
178
How often should clinical health checks be carried out when working in the animal care industry?
Once a year
179
In what order should a physical health check conducted?
Head to tail to ensure nothing is missed
Ears
Eyes
Mouth and Teeth
Nose
Fur
Skin
Body Form
Feet
Weight
Alertness
Eating and Drinking
Bodily Functions
Urethra
Vulva
Penis and Testes
Anus
Movement
180
Physical Health Check - The Ears
Are they clean and without a discharge?
Do they appear a healthy pink or normal colour for the animal concerned?
Can you see any signs of soreness?
181
Physical Health Check - The Eyes
Are they bright and clear, without discharge or apparent soreness?
182
Physical Health Check - Mouth and Teeth
Is the breath fresh and without unpleasant odour?
Are there signs of tartar on the teeth?
In rabbits, it is only possible to check the incisors because the other teeth are not visible without opening the mouth very wide, which could dislocate the jaw. It is important to check the length of the incisors in the rabbit because they can overgrow. The upper and lower incisors need to meet to form a biting surface.
183
Physical Health Check - Nose
Is the nose clear of mucus, other matter or is there a sign of a runny discharge?
Does the animal appear to be able to breathe through the nose?
184
Physical Health Check - Fur
Is the coat clean and without clumps of matted fur? Any signs of parasites? E.g. fleas, mites, lice? Any bald patches?
185
Physical Health Check - Skin
Is the coat clean and without clumps of matted fur? Any signs of parasites? E.g. fleas, mites, lice? Any bald patches?
186
Physical Health Check - Body Form
Is this animal standing and sitting correctly? When passing your hands over the body can you feel any lumps or swellings?
187
Physical Health Check - Feet
Are the claws the correct length and not overly long? Is the end point of their growth well away from the pads? Any signs of soreness on the pads?
188
Physical Health Check - Weight
For the particular animal, has he or she a healthy weight for their species or breed? This can be checked by running your hands over the body. Can you easily feel the ribs with just a gentle press of the skin? Do you have to press firmly to be able to feel them or can you even see them through the fur? The weight can be worked out using the body condition score.
189
Physical Health Check - Alertness
Is your animal alert and keen to respond to you in their own way?
190
Physical Health Check - Eating and Drinking
Is your animal eating well and is there clean fresh water easily available for them? Have you observed your animal taking a drink? Have you seen them eating and are they picking the food up easily? This is particularly important in rabbits and guinea pigs where the teeth may grow in an abnormal way causing eating difficulties. Have you monitored the amount you have provided for the animal and the amount they have eaten?
191
Physical Health Check - Bodily Functions
Is your animal passing urine or faeces (defecating) readily with no apparent problems?
192
Physical Health Check - Urethra
The urethra is the opening from the body that leads inside to the urinary bladder. Is this clean and without apparent soreness, discharge or unpleasant odour?
193
Physical Health Check - Vulva
The vulva is the birth opening in female mammals. Is the vulva clean, without any discharge or unpleasant odour?
194
Physical Health Check - Penis and Testes
These are male genitalia of mammals. The penis doubles as the exit point for urine as well as being the male’s sexual organ. Is the penis (if visible that is) clean, without odour, discharge or soreness? Have you seen the animal licking that part of the body more than you would expect?
195
Physical Health Check - Anus
The anus is from where faeces are expelled from the body. Does the anus appear clean, without faecal material and without soreness?
196
Physical Health Check - Movement
Is he or she moving about and apparently enjoying exercise?
197
What is a body condition score used to determine?
it can be used to determine if an animal is within the correct weight range
198
What can be the range of a body condition score chart?
1 to 9
or 1 to 5 for both cats and dogs
With the lowest number suggesting the animal is underweight and the highest number stating the animal is overweight.
199
What will an underweight animal be like?
On an animal that is underweight, their ribs will be easily felt, the bones have no to little fat cover and the waist is very defined.
200
What will an animal at an ideal weight be like?
An animal that is an ideal weight will have ribs that are easily felt with some fat cover and a well-proportioned waist
201
What will an overweight animal be like?
An animal that is overweight will have ribs that are hard to feel, the waist will be gone, and fat may hang from the abdomen.
202
Reptiles - Physical Health Check - Eyes
Are the eyes clear and bright and free from any discharge?
203
Reptiles - Physical Health Check - Nostrils
Are the nostrils clear from any discharge or is there mucus or other matter around them?
204
Reptiles - Physical Health Check - Mouth
Is the mouth clean and free from any material around the area? Are you able to open the reptile’s mouth gently to check that the inside doesn’t have any sore patches inside? Are the teeth all intact? If it is a chelonian-is the beak a normal shape or is it overgrown?
205
Reptiles - Physical Health Check - Skin
The skin of a reptile should be dry and clean and each of the scales or scutes should be intact. Is there any sign of any damage? Are there signs of skin sloughing (ecdysis)? In lizards ecdysis normally happens scale by scale but in snakes the complete outer layer is shed in one piece. If there are patches of flaked skin this can be a sign of problems, difficulty in shedding is known as dysecdysis.
206
Reptiles - Physical Health Check - Cloaca
The cloaca is the opening for the digestive, reproductive and urinary tracts together- there’s only one opening rather than the three in most mammals. Is this area clean and free from any matter around it?
207
Reptiles - Physical Health Check - Bodily Functions
Is the animal passing a normal faecal motion?
Some reptiles prefer to pass waste when they are in water.
208
Reptiles - Physical Health Check - Feet/Claws
Are there any signs of soreness or overgrown claws? Is the animal moving well and is keen to move around?
209
Reptiles - Physical Health Check - Alterness
Is the animal showing interest in its surroundings and takes notice when there is movement around its vivarium?
210
Reptiles - Physical Health Check - Eating/Drinking
Is water easily available and the reptile is seen to drink from it? Is the reptile eating normally?
211
Reptiles - Physical Health Check - Weight
Can you see the reptile’s ribs? Can you feel the ribs if you gently press the skin above them?
212
Dogs - What is Gastroenteritis?
An inflammation of the gastrointestinal/digestive tract (anywhere along the whole length of tract)
213
Dogs - What are the causes of gastroenteritis?
The list of causes is very long. Viruses, bacteria, parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, and eating inappropriate food such as raiding the bin or eating table scraps.
214
Dogs - What are the signs of gastroenteritis?
Vomiting, diarrhoea, blood and mucous in stools, inappetence, flatulence and weight loss.
215
Dogs - What are skin problems?
This is a range of conditions which affect the skins of many species causing discomfort and irritation. The skin is the largest organ of the body and includes the skin of the ears both outside and inside.
216
Dogs - What are the causes of skin problems?
Parasites, fungal and bacterial infections, and allergies.
217
Dogs - What are the signs of skin diseases?
Scratching, rubbing against furniture or the floor, head shaking, hair loss, red patches, flaking and greasy skin.
218
Dogs - What is arthritis?
Inflammation of one or more joints of the body which commonly affects older dogs.
219
Dogs - What are the causes of arthritis?
Injury to the joint when the dog was younger, general wear and tear.
220
Dogs - What are the signs of arthritis?
Limping or reluctant to exercise, licking of the paws or near the affected area, change in behaviour, slower movement.
221
Dogs - What are lumps?
Many dogs develop lumps in their layers of skin, fat and muscles which may just be very small and hard or larger and softer.
222
Dogs - What are the causes of lumps?
Most lumps are benign (not cancerous) and are fatty lumps or lipomas but others can be more sinister and can spread to other parts of the body. The only way this can be found out is by histopathology, where a specialist vet checks its structure under the microscope.
223
What are the signs of lumps?
A change in the contour of the skin which is occasionally visible but more often has to be felt.
224
Dogs - What is diabetes mellitus?
A condition where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to satisfy the body’s needs. In some cases the pancreas stops producing insulin completely.
225
Dogs - What are the causes of diabetes mellitus?
The cause of a dog developing diabetes mellitus is not known, but obesity increases the likelihood of it developing and some breeds are more prone to development of the disease.
226
Dogs - What are the signs of diabetes mellitus?
The cause of a dog developing diabetes mellitus is not known, but obesity increases the likelihood of it developing and some breeds are more prone to development of the disease.
227
Cats - Gastroenteritis
The list of causes is very long. Viruses, bacteria, parasites and inflammatory bowel disease. Cats are much less likely to eat inappropriate foods by raiding bins and eating rancid foods but too many table scraps can occasionally cause problems.
228
Cats - what is hyperthyroidism?
This is an over-active thyroid gland, the gland which produces thyroid hormone which regulates the metabolism of the body.
229
Cats - hyperthyroidism - causes?
This is caused by a benign tumour in the thyroid gland in the neck
230
Cats - hyperthyroidism - signs
This is an over-active thyroid gland, the gland which produces thyroid hormone which regulates the metabolism of the body.
231
