In emergencies involving young puppies or kittens, which of the following locations is ideal for IV catheter placement?
Correct Answer: A
Question 302
In laparoscopic surgeries, what must first be in place to allow for insertion of the laparoscope?
Correct Answer: A
A trocar is a hollow tube with a sharp tip used to pierce tissue and allow for subsequent insertion of the laparoscope. Once it has penetrated the peritoneal lining, the trocar is replaced by ablunt tracerwhich guides the laparoscope sleeve. During laparoscopic surgery, the light cable is attached to the light port on the laparoscope. Curettes are tools used to scrape bone and cartilage during orthopedic and arthroscopic surgeries. Rongeurs are used during orthopedic surgery to cut hard tissue. Joanna M. Bassert, VMD. McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, 9th Edition. Pg 1085-1086.
Question 303
You are out on a farm call and evaluating a horse with signs consistent with colic. When considering the need for surgical intervention, all of the following factors will lead you to refer for possible surgical intervention rather than hospitalization alone, except:
Correct Answer: D
When evaluating horses in the field for colic, in addition to determining any underlying cause, you will likely be providing pain management and possibly other types of intervention on-site. However, it would be best if you recognized when the patient requires more care than you can deliver on the farm (needs hospitalization) or is deteriorating to the point where surgery is indicated and immediate referral is warranted. You will want to monitor the following parameters to determine if a referral and surgical or medical management are necessary. If you have a full-service hospital with appropriate staff, referral could mean to your clinic, specialty practice, or similar entity capable of providing needed care. Parameters to monitor include: 1. Attitude 2. Severity of pain 3. Signs 4. Peristalsis 5. Nasogastric reflux 6. Rectal palpation findings and progression/changes 7. PCV/TP 8. Response to treatment provided Indications for surgical intervention include depression, progressive and moderate to severe pain and clinical signs, cold extremities, and other signs of shock. Further, weak pulses and heart rates above 75 BPM are of concern. Animals with injected gums and CRT > 2.5 seconds are likely dehydrated and require intervention. Patients needing surgery may have a normal or mildly elevated temperature, so this cannot be the only parameter utilized. Lack of feces, lack of borborygmi, and overall ileus warrants immediate surgical consideration. Further, animals with bowel displacement or distension, moderately to severely increased PCV/TS, and > 5 L of net nasogastric reflux, especially with rapid recurrence of fluid accumulation, are all indicative of the need to refer. Finally, monitor closely for responses to any therapies provided. A failure to respond, remaining painful despite intervention, or deterioration in mental status suggest urgency and the need for surgical intervention. Compare this to hospitalization needs, where the patient remains bright, alert, and responsive, and the pain may be mild to moderate but more transient. The patient responds to pain management and any fluid therapy. The heart rate remains less than 55 BPM, and the pulses are strong. These patients will retain warm limbs, still be passing feces, and have appropriate gut sounds/peristalsis. They will have normal evaluations on rectal palpation and only slight elevations in PCV/TS. Their CRTs will be < 2 with normal pink mucous membranes. Finally, they will have less than 2 L of net reflux.
Question 304
What is extra-label drug use?
Correct Answer: D
Extra-label drug use, sometimes referred to as "off-label drug use", is the use of a drug in ways other than those listed on an FDA-approved label. This could include use for a different species, other disease states, different dosages, or even another mode of administration. Extra-label drug use is often advantageous, even necessary. It allows veterinarians to use medications in ways that have not yet been thoroughly tested or approved for a specific species, but may still be helpful. This practice is regulated by the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act and is not permitted in food-producing animals. The administration of several medications in combination could involve extra-label use of one or more of the drugs. However, generally, extra-label use refers to the administration of one drug. The use of drugs that have not been approved by the FDA is incorrect because extra-label drug use involves an FDA-approved drug, but it is used in a manner not listed on the FDA-approved label. The compounding of a number of substances to arrive at a single therapeutic compound otherwise unavailable is incorrect because extra-label drug use does not require the compounding of several substances.
Question 305
Which of the following will not help keep a technician safe when taking digital dental radiographs?
Correct Answer: D
When taking digital dental radiographs, the technician should be behind a wall or similar barrier or standing anywhere from 90- to 130-degree angles perpendicular to the x-ray beam. This allows the tech to be away from the beam's direction and in the safe zone. Many hand-held units do have leaded shields to protect the operator, but many practices will have you wear a lead apron to be safe. Thus, while 130-degrees is correct, remember that you always want to stand perpendicular, not parallel to the beam. Always remember time, distance, and shielding. You want to be as far away as possible, exposed for as little as possible, and use proper shielding such as lead aprons or lead walls.
