CVA Veterinary Practice and Nursing Care 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A rabbit patient is positioned in dorsal recumbency for a procedure. Which unique risk must the veterinary assistant monitor closely?
- Hyperthermia due to dense fur
- Gastric dilatation from food in the stomach
- Respiratory compromise from visceral pressure on the diaphragm (Correct answer)
- Corneal ulceration from eye position
Correct answer: Respiratory compromise from visceral pressure on the diaphragm
Rabbits have a large gastrointestinal tract that, in dorsal recumbency, can compress the diaphragm and restrict breathing, making respiratory monitoring critical.
Question 2: What is the purpose of the 'two-patient identifier' rule when administering medications?
- To ensure two nurses are present for all injections
- To confirm the correct medication is given to the correct patient using two forms of identification (Correct answer)
- To document that two doses were needed
- To verify the drug was manufactured by two approved suppliers
Correct answer: To confirm the correct medication is given to the correct patient using two forms of identification
Using two patient identifiers (such as name and ID number or cage card) before drug administration reduces the risk of medication errors in clinical settings.
Question 3: Which sample tube with a RED or GOLD top (no anticoagulant) is used for?
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Coagulation testing (PT/PTT)
- Serum chemistry and serology (Correct answer)
- Packed cell volume (PCV) only
Correct answer: Serum chemistry and serology
Red or gold-top tubes contain no anticoagulant and allow blood to clot, yielding serum for chemistry panels and serological tests.
Question 4: An assistant is asked to set up an IV fluid drip at 60 mL/hr using a standard 60 drop/mL administration set. What is the correct drip rate?
- 15 drops/min
- 30 drops/min
- 60 drops/min (Correct answer)
- 120 drops/min
Correct answer: 60 drops/min
With a 60 drop/mL set, drops per minute equals mL per hour: 60 mL/hr ÷ 60 min × 60 drops/mL = 60 drops/min.
Question 5: Which zoonotic disease can be transmitted to humans from contact with infected cat feces?
- Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
- Toxoplasma gondii (Correct answer)
- Feline herpesvirus
- Feline calicivirus
Correct answer: Toxoplasma gondii
Toxoplasma gondii oocysts shed in cat feces can infect humans, posing particular risk to immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women.
Question 6: When preparing a patient for surgery, the clipped area around the incision site should extend at least:
- 0.5 cm beyond the proposed incision
- 2–3 cm beyond the proposed incision
- 5–8 cm beyond the proposed incision (Correct answer)
- The entire limb or body region regardless of incision size
Correct answer: 5–8 cm beyond the proposed incision
Clipping at least 5–8 cm (approximately 2–3 inches) beyond the proposed incision provides an adequate sterile field and accommodates unexpected incision extensions.
Question 7: Which term describes the involuntary passage of urine in a hospitalized patient, which may require nursing care such as bladder expression or catheterization?
- Hematuria
- Urinary incontinence (Correct answer)
- Oliguria
- Dysuria
Correct answer: Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine control and may require manual bladder expression or an indwelling catheter to protect the patient's skin and monitor output.
CVA Veterinary Practice and Nursing Care 5
A rabbit patient is positioned in dorsal recumbency for a procedure.
Which unique risk must the veterinary assistant monitor closely?