CVA Veterinary Practice & Nursing Care 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the MOST appropriate action when a veterinary assistant discovers a medication error?
- Correct the error quietly without documentation
- Immediately inform the supervising veterinarian and document the incident (Correct answer)
- Wait to see if adverse effects develop before reporting
- Ask a coworker to handle the report
Correct answer: Immediately inform the supervising veterinarian and document the incident
Medication errors must be reported immediately to the veterinarian so corrective action can be taken, and an incident report must be completed for patient safety and legal records.
Question 2: Subcutaneous (SQ) fluid administration in cats is MOST commonly performed in which location?
- Ventral abdomen
- Scruff between the shoulder blades (Correct answer)
- Inner rear leg
- Lateral thorax
Correct answer: Scruff between the shoulder blades
The loose skin over the scruff (dorsal neck/interscapular area) is the preferred SQ fluid administration site because it allows large volumes to be absorbed easily.
Question 3: Which vital sign change is MOST consistent with a patient experiencing pain?
- Decreased heart rate and respiratory rate
- Increased heart rate and respiratory rate (Correct answer)
- Decreased temperature and pale mucous membranes
- Increased appetite and activity
Correct answer: Increased heart rate and respiratory rate
Pain activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.
Question 4: A veterinary assistant is preparing to collect a blood sample. The vein is raised by applying pressure proximal to the venipuncture site. This technique is called:
- Catheterization
- Occluding or 'raising' the vein (Correct answer)
- Arterial puncture
- Hematocrit centrifugation
Correct answer: Occluding or 'raising' the vein
Applying pressure proximal (upstream) to the collection site occludes venous return, causing the vessel to distend and become more visible and accessible.
Question 5: Which of the following is a zoonotic disease that veterinary staff should be aware of when handling reptile patients?
- Parvovirus
- Distemper
- Salmonellosis (Correct answer)
- Heartworm disease
Correct answer: Salmonellosis
Reptiles commonly carry Salmonella bacteria in their gut; handling them without proper hand hygiene can result in human infection.
Question 6: In veterinary nursing, 'SOAP' notes refer to a structured medical record format. What does the 'O' stand for?
- Opinion
- Objective findings (Correct answer)
- Operations performed
- Outcome expected
Correct answer: Objective findings
In SOAP notes, 'O' stands for Objective, which includes measurable data such as physical exam findings, vital signs, and diagnostic results.
Question 7: Which type of isolation is MOST appropriate for a dog admitted with suspected parvovirus?
- Standard precautions only
- Strict contact isolation with dedicated equipment (Correct answer)
- Droplet precautions
- No isolation needed if vaccinated dogs are separated
Correct answer: Strict contact isolation with dedicated equipment
Parvovirus is highly contagious via fecal-oral contact; strict contact isolation with dedicated equipment, gowns, and gloves is required to prevent nosocomial spread.
CVA Veterinary Practice & Nursing Care 4
Which of the following is the MOST appropriate action when a veterinary assistant discovers a medication error?