CET Test Equipment & Measurement 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A technician needs to administer 3 mL of pentobarbital using a 12 mL syringe. How should the dose be measured to ensure accuracy?
- Draw to the 3 mL graduation mark while keeping the syringe at eye level (Correct answer)
- Estimate visually without checking the graduation
- Use a 60 mL syringe for better control
- Draw to the 4 mL mark to account for dead space
Correct answer: Draw to the 3 mL graduation mark while keeping the syringe at eye level
Accurate measurement requires reading the syringe graduation at eye level to avoid parallax error.
Question 2: When using a stethoscope to confirm cardiac arrest after euthanasia, where should the chest piece be placed on a dog?
- Left axillary region (left armpit/chest wall area) (Correct answer)
- Right lateral thorax
- Over the abdomen
- On the dorsal spine
Correct answer: Left axillary region (left armpit/chest wall area)
The left axillary/cardiac region provides the best auscultation of heart sounds in canines.
Question 3: A scale used to weigh animals for euthanasia drug dosing reads 0.3 kg when unloaded. What is this called and how should it be corrected?
- Zero error; tare the scale before use (Correct answer)
- Calibration drift; send for manufacturer repair immediately
- Overload damage; replace the scale
- Normal operation; add 0.3 kg to all readings
Correct answer: Zero error; tare the scale before use
A non-zero reading with no load is a zero error, corrected by taring (zeroing) the scale before weighing.
Question 4: Which needle gauge is most appropriate for IV administration of euthanasia solution to a medium-sized dog (20 kg)?
- 20–22 gauge (Correct answer)
- 30 gauge
- 14 gauge
- 27 gauge
Correct answer: 20–22 gauge
20–22 gauge needles provide adequate flow for IV euthanasia solution while minimizing vascular trauma in medium-sized dogs.
Question 5: A technician uses a pulse oximeter on a sedated animal prior to euthanasia and gets a reading of 96%. What does this value indicate?
- Oxygen saturation is within normal range (Correct answer)
- The animal is hypoxic and near death
- The device is malfunctioning
- Carbon dioxide levels are elevated
Correct answer: Oxygen saturation is within normal range
SpO2 of 96% is within the normal range (95–100%), indicating adequate hemoglobin oxygenation.
Question 6: After euthanasia, a technician listens for heart sounds for 60 seconds and hears nothing. What additional step confirms cessation of cardiac activity?
- Check for a pulse and absence of respiratory movement simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Administer a reversal agent and re-evaluate
- Repeat the drug dose immediately
- Check corneal reflex only
Correct answer: Check for a pulse and absence of respiratory movement simultaneously
Confirming death requires checking for absent pulse and respiratory movement in addition to cardiac auscultation.
Question 7: A 60 mL catheter-tip syringe is used for large animal euthanasia. What is the primary advantage of a catheter-tip over a luer-lock tip?
- It connects directly to large-bore tubing without a needle for high-volume delivery (Correct answer)
- It is more sterile than luer-lock tips
- It reduces the required drug volume
- It prevents accidental plunger removal
Correct answer: It connects directly to large-bore tubing without a needle for high-volume delivery
Catheter-tip syringes connect to large-bore extension sets for rapid, high-volume drug delivery in large animals.
CET Test Equipment & Measurement 2
A technician needs to administer 3 mL of pentobarbital using a 12 mL syringe.
How should the dose be measured to ensure accuracy?