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

An unconscious, apneic (not breathing) patient is an immediate life-threatening emergency requiring CPR and resuscitation before any other intervention. Triage prioritizes patients by urgency: immediate (life-threatening) → urgent (stable but serious) → non-urgent (minor). The other patients in this scenario are urgent or non-urgent.

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

The RECOVER (Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation) guidelines recommend a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for cats and small dogs — 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. Compressions should be performed at a rate of 100–120 per minute. Continuous compressions without pausing are ideal when two rescuers are available.

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

Hypovolemic shock occurs when circulating blood volume is insufficient. The body compensates with tachycardia (to maintain cardiac output), vasoconstriction causing pale mucous membranes, and decreased peripheral perfusion causing prolonged CRT (>2 sec). Hypotension is a late and ominous sign. Bounding pulses and normal/red mucous membranes suggest distributive (septic) shock instead.

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

In a patient with respiratory distress, supplemental oxygen should be provided immediately (flow-by oxygen held near the face is well-tolerated and reduces stress), and all non-essential handling should be minimized. Stress and restraint can precipitate respiratory collapse in a dyspneic patient. Diagnostics and invasive procedures should follow once the patient is more stable.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

Answer

Epinephrine (0.01 mg/kg IV/IO) is the primary drug in veterinary CPR per RECOVER guidelines. It causes vasoconstriction (increasing coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure during compressions) and has positive chronotropic and inotropic effects. Atropine is used for vagally mediated bradycardia, lidocaine for ventricular arrhythmias, and corticosteroids are not indicated in CPA.

(CVA) Certified Veterinary Assistant Practice Test

(CVA) Certified Veterinary Assistant Practice Test

CVA Emergency and Critical Care Basics