Treatment Protocols & Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real ECC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Treatment Protocols & Procedures flashcards as text
Which contact point is most commonly used when delivering a chiropractic adjustment to the spinous processes of the horse's thoracic spine?
Answer: Hypothenar eminence (pisiform)
The pisiform (hypothenar eminence) provides a small, firm bony contact point that allows precise force delivery to equine spinous processes.
In equine chiropractic, what is the purpose of the 'indifferent hand' during a spinal adjustment?
Answer: To stabilize the contact hand and reinforce direction of the thrust
The indifferent (assisting) hand reinforces the contact hand and helps vector the thrust in the precise corrective direction.
A horse adjusted at the lumbosacral junction displays temporary hindlimb ataxia immediately post-adjustment. What is the MOST appropriate initial response?
Answer: Monitor closely, allow the horse to stand quietly, and reassess within 10-15 minutes
Transient neurological signs after lumbosacral adjustment may reflect normal nervous system response; close monitoring over 10-15 minutes distinguishes temporary from serious events.
When is the use of a chiropractic drop-piece table indicated for equine treatment?
Answer: For foals and miniature horses where a standard standing adjustment is impractical
Drop-piece or tilt tables are most practical for small equids and foals where the practitioner cannot safely apply standing adjustive forces.
What is the significance of a 'cavitation' sound (audible pop) during an equine chiropractic adjustment?
Answer: It represents gas release from synovial fluid and confirms joint gapping occurred, but is not required for a therapeutic outcome
Cavitation confirms intra-articular joint gapping but its presence or absence does not determine whether a therapeutic neurological effect occurred.
How should a practitioner modify the treatment protocol for an equine patient on NSAID therapy at the time of the chiropractic visit?
Answer: Use lighter-force adjustments and document medication, as NSAIDs may mask pain feedback and alter tissue response
NSAIDs reduce pain signaling, potentially masking the horse's feedback; lighter forces and careful documentation help ensure patient safety.
Which of the following post-treatment home-care instructions is most appropriate for the owner of a horse that just received its first chiropractic adjustment?
Answer: Provide light turnout or hand walking for 24-48 hours and avoid strenuous exercise
Light movement supports the adjustment by preventing protective muscle guarding while allowing the nervous system to integrate the corrective input without reinjury.