Vital Signs & Clinical Examinations

What is the average heart rate or pulse for a horse?

32 to 42 bpm

What must a veterinarian do in order to correctly identify a pulse rate?

Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and then multiply by four

What is it called when the temperature of an animal is below normal?

Hypothermia

What is the average temperature for both cats and dogs?

99 to 102°F (37.2 to 38.9°C)

Which of the following is NOT an indicator for elevated vital signs?

Shock

What is the average heart rate or pulse for cattle?

40 to 80 bpm

Which of the following is NOT an indicator for lowered vital signs?

Stress

Which of the following is defined as the expulsion of air from the lungs?

Expiration

Which of the following is a true statement about a smaller dog’s resting pulse rate?

It is usually always higher than a large dog

Which of the following refers to the intensity or indication of strain during respiration?

Depth

Where is the most accurate place to read an animal’s temperature?

Rectally

Which of the following is defined as the number of inspirations per minute?

Rate

What is the average heart rate or pulse for a cat?

120 to 140 bpm

Which of the following is defined as the expansion of the chest or thorax?

Inspiration

Which of the following is defined as labored breathing?

Dyspnea

Where is the femoral pulse located?

Inside the hind legs

What is the most common reason for tartar on a small animal’s teeth?

Age

When performing a physical exam on a horse, how does the veterinarian check for dehydration?

Making a skin tent

Where are fleas and ticks most commonly found on a small animal?

Rump and neck

Which of the following is NOT a sign of a healthy animal?

Dull coat

What could be the cause for swollen lymph nodes on an animal?

Infection or systemic disease

The capillary refill time on a healthy animal should be which of the following?

Two seconds or less

Listening for gut motility and function is extremely important when examining a horse. How many quadrants must the veterinarian listen to in order to examine both high and low portions of the gut?

Four

Where are the popliteal lymph nodes located?

Behind the hind legs

Where are the submandibular lymph nodes located?

Beneath the jaw

What is the average respiration rate, in breaths per minute, for cattle?

10 to 30

What is the most common anatomical order when performing a physical exam on any type of animal?

Head to tail

Where is the temperature taken in cattle?

Rectally

During a small animal examination, how does the veterinarian feel for enlargement of the internal organs and/or masses and fluid within the animal?

palpating the belly

What should be the normal color of an animal’s gums and mucous membranes?

Pink