How often should the expiration dates of items on crash carts be checked?
Correct Answer: B
Crash carts are centralized, moveable stores of medications and equipment and are easily accessible in emergency situations. In addition to medication, crash carts usually hold needles, syringes, catheters, endotracheal tubes, a laryngoscope, and an Ambubag (bag resuscitator) in case the cart is needed, away from oxygen and airway supplies. Some hospitals can get by with a small tackle box or toolbox as the crash cart, while others who commonly treat emergencies may use a large-wheeled cart that also has a defibrillator. The contents of these carts may vary with the veterinary practice and setup of the hospital, treatment room, triage area, and other factors. Expiration dates on all items on a crash cart should be checked at a minimum, monthly, and always after any cart supplies are used.
Question 282
Which type of teeth are typically absent or less developed in female horses than in males?
Correct Answer: A
Canine teeth are typically absent or rudimentary in female horses and present in males. Male horses have four canine teeth that erupt between four and six years old. Wolf teeth, cheek teeth, and incisors are similar in both sexes. Adults have three incisors, three premolars, and three molars in each quadrant. Some horses will have additional first premolars in all four quadrants called wolf teeth. Joanna M. Bassert, VMD. McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, 9th Edition. Pg 1264. Clinical Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians 3rd Edition. Pg 387.
Question 283
When assessing a new patient, the veterinary technician notes that the patient has yellow mucous membranes. What might this indicate?
Correct Answer: B
Yellow mucous membranes indicate elevated bilirubin levels in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia) and tissues (jaundice or icterus). This is caused by liver failure, hemolysis (ruptured red blood cells), and gallbladder disease. Pale or white mucous membranes indicate inadequate blood volume or anemia (low red blood cell count). Blue or purple mucous membranes indicate cyanosis (insufficient oxygenation of tissues). Very red mucous membranes indicate sepsis (bacterial infection in the bloodstream with overwhelming inflammation). Endotoxemia also causes brick red membranes. It is a toxin-induced illness, triggered by a part of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. This toxin enters the bloodstream via abnormal tissue, causing systemic wide disease. It can also happen as a result of metritis, pneumonia, or large wounds.
Question 284
A stray dog is brought in by a good samaritan with respiratory distress and neurologic signs. We are concerned the dog may have distemper. He looks cachectic, and the people say they have seen him around on and off for a few years. They do not know of any owner. This was the first time they could get near him to even bring him to a vet because he was so debilitated. What increases a dog's chance of contracting the distemper virus?
Correct Answer: C
Exposure to wildlife can increase a dog's chance of contracting the distemper virus. Distemper is most commonly associated with domestic canines, but it may also affect other species. Distemper may be carried and spread by wild animals in the families Canidae, Mustelidae, Mephitidae, Hyaenidae, Ailuridae, Procyonidae, and Pinnipedia. The mode of transmission for canine distemper is the inhalation of the airborne virus or contact with urine, feces, or mucosal secretions. Blood purchased from a blood bank is screened for various diseases and is unlikely to have the distemper virus. An adult dog with multiple previous distemper virus vaccines (DHPP) a few months late with the booster will not increase the risk of disease. Distemper and parvovirus vaccinations have been shown with repeat bolstering, to last potentially well beyond the three-year booster window. Thus, being a few days or months late is only a theoretical concern. Exposure to an indoor-outdoor cat will not increase a dog's risk of distemper. Distemper isn't transmissible to felids. Note that distemper patients can mimic those with rabies, and vice versa, especially depending on what phase of rabies' clinical course manifests on presentation. Thus, even though one suspects distemper, all precautions should be taken and it should be treated as if the dog has rabies until proven otherwise.
Question 285
What is an amputation?
Correct Answer: D
Amputation is the surgical procedure that removes all or part of a body part. It is most commonly performed on limbsas surgical treatment for bone tumors on the limbs or irreparable injury. Lavage is the washing out of a body cavity with water or medicated solution. Avulsion is the procedure that involves pulling or tearing away of tissue. Ligation is the surgical closure of a vessel, duct, or tube. Joanna M. Bassert, VMD. McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, 9th Edition. Pg 1176.
