Surgical and Exam Procedures Flashcards

During a physical exam, a veterinary assistant notices a patient's mucous membranes are pale and tacky. What does this most likely indicate?

Answer: Dehydration or poor perfusion

Pale, tacky mucous membranes are classic signs of dehydration or inadequate tissue perfusion.

Which knot is most commonly used to tie off suture in veterinary surgery due to its security?

Answer: Square knot

The square knot is the standard surgical knot because it lies flat and is less likely to loosen than a granny knot.

A dog is recovering from anesthesia and begins paddling its legs and vocalizing. What is the most appropriate initial response?

Answer: Keep the patient calm, padded, and notify the veterinarian

Dysphoric or excitatory recovery requires gentle restraint, padding to prevent injury, and immediate veterinarian notification.

When preparing a surgical site, in what direction should you clip and scrub the skin?

Answer: From the incision site outward in a circular motion

Surgical scrubbing moves from the clean center outward to avoid introducing contaminants to the incision site.

Which of the following is the correct capillary refill time (CRT) in a healthy dog or cat?

Answer: 1–2 seconds

A normal CRT is 1–2 seconds; prolonged CRT suggests poor perfusion or cardiovascular compromise.

What is the purpose of a Balfour retractor during abdominal surgery?

Answer: To hold abdominal walls open for better visualization

The Balfour retractor is a self-retaining instrument used to hold the abdominal incision open during surgery.

During a routine physical exam, you auscultate lung sounds and hear a crackling noise on inspiration. What might this indicate?

Answer: Fluid in the lower airways (pulmonary edema or pneumonia)

Crackles (rales) on auscultation are associated with fluid or exudate in the alveoli, suggesting pulmonary edema or pneumonia.