CVA Emergency and Critical Care Basics

Question 1

When triaging multiple patients arriving simultaneously at a veterinary clinic, which patient should receive care FIRST?

Accepted Answer

A dog that is unconscious and not breathing

Answer

A dog with a 3-day history of vomiting and lethargy

Answer

A cat with an upper respiratory infection and mild nasal discharge

Answer

A rabbit with a broken nail that is bleeding slowly

Question 2

What is the recommended chest compression-to-ventilation ratio for basic CPR in a small dog or cat, according to current RECOVER guidelines?

Accepted Answer

30:2

Answer

15:2

Answer

5:1

Answer

50:2

Question 3

Which combination of clinical signs is MOST consistent with hypovolemic shock in a canine patient?

Accepted Answer

Tachycardia, pale mucous membranes, and prolonged capillary refill time (>2 seconds)

Answer

Bradycardia, hypertension, and bounding pulses

Answer

Hyperthermia, tachycardia, and injected (red) mucous membranes

Answer

Bradycardia, hypotension, and normal mucous membranes

Question 4

A dog is presented in respiratory distress with labored open-mouth breathing. What is the FIRST action the veterinary assistant should take while the veterinarian is being paged?

Accepted Answer

Provide flow-by or mask oxygen supplementation and minimize stress

Answer

Administer subcutaneous fluids immediately

Answer

Obtain a full blood panel before any treatment

Answer

Place the patient in dorsal recumbency for abdominal palpation

Question 5

Which drug is the FIRST-LINE pharmacological agent administered during cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) in dogs and cats?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Lidocaine

Answer

Dexamethasone

Question 6

When placing an intravenous catheter in an emergency patient, which vein is MOST commonly used as the first choice in dogs?

Accepted Answer

Cephalic vein

Answer

Jugular vein

Answer

Saphenous vein

Answer

Auricular vein