Vital Signs

Question 1

Main vital signs

Answer 1

• heart rate
• respiration rate
• capillary refill time (CRT)
• temperature

Question 2

Normal adult horse resting heart rate is _____ bpm

Answer 2

30-40

Question 3

A pulse rate of ____ bpm in an adult horse could mean physical distress

Answer 3

50 or higher

Question 4

Heart rate for foals up to 2 weeks:

Answer 4

100 bpm

Question 5

Heart rates for foals 4 weeks:

Answer 5

70 bpm

Question 6

Heart rate for colts/fillies 6-12 months: _____ bpm

Answer 6

45-60

Question 7

Heart rate for 2 year old horse: ____ bpm

Answer 7

40-50

Question 8

Average breath rate of an adult horse is _____ breaths per minute

Answer 8

8-24

Question 9

An increase in breaths will occur with…

Answer 9

• Hot humid weather
• Exercise
• Fever
• Pain

Question 10

Beware: ________ rate should never exceed _______ rate.

Answer 10

Respiration; pulse

Question 11

Normal capillary refill time is _______

Answer 11

Less than 1 second

Question 12

If the CRT is over 2 seconds, the horse may be…

Answer 12

in distress/shock

Question 13

Normal rectal temperature is…

Answer 13

99.5 - 101.5

Question 14

Mild fever rectal temperature is…

Answer 14

100.5 - 102.5

Question 15

Moderate fever rectal temperature is…

Answer 15

102.5 - 104.0

Question 16

High fever rectal temperature is…

Answer 16

104 - 106.5

Question 17

Very high fever rectal temperature is above _____

Answer 17

106.5

Question 18

A healthy horse’s temperature can vary by ___ degrees depending on the environment

Answer 18

3

Question 19

Other than fever, horses will have a higher temperature during…

Answer 19

• warm weather
• during/after exercise
• stress
• excitement

Question 20

A healthy horse will drink a minimum of ___ gallons a day, but ______ is ideal

Answer 20

5; 10-20

Question 21

One way to test for dehydration is the _______

Answer 21

Pinch/tent test

Question 22

Mucus membranes include the…

Answer 22

• eyelids
• gums
• inside of nostrils

Question 23

Regarding gums, color is a good indicator of….

Answer 23

blood flow

Question 24

Gut sounds should…

Answer 24

Always be present

Question 25

A lack of gut sounds is….

Answer 25

a problem!

Question 26

Excessive gut sounds = _______

Answer 26

Hyperactive GIT (gastrointestinal tract)

Question 27

Behavioral warning signs include…

Answer 27

• acting abnormal for individual
• nervous
• quivering/shaking/shivering
• pawing, rolling, etc.