VTNE QUESTIONS AND TIPS

Which of the following drugs is classified as an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist commonly used for sedation in veterinary medicine?

A. Acepromazine
B. Xylazine
C. Ketamine
D. Diazepam

B. Xylazine

Memory Trick: “Xylo = Zzz” → makes animals sleepy.

Which of the following parasites is a nematode (roundworm)?

A. Dipylidium caninum
B. Ancylostoma caninum
C. Ctenocephalides felis
D. Taenia taeniaeformis

B. Ancylostoma caninum

Memory Trick: “Ancylo = A worm”

Which of the following antibiotics should never be used in rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, or hamsters due to the risk of fatal enterotoxemia?

A. Enrofloxacin
B. Chloramphenicol
C. Penicillin G
D. Trimethoprim-sulfa

C. Penicillin G

Memory Trick: “Penicillin = Problem for pets like rabbits”

On a right lateral thoracic radiograph of a dog, which lung lobe is positioned closest to the x-ray detector (i.e., dependent lung)?

A. Left cranial lobe
B. Left caudal lobe
C. Right cranial lobe
D. Right middle lobe

C. Right cranial lobe

Memory Trick: “Right lateral → right lung down”

Which heart valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle?

A. Tricuspid valve
B. Pulmonic valve
C. Mitral valve
D. Aortic valve

C. Mitral valve

Memory Trick: “Try Pulling My Aorta” → Tricuspid, Pulmonic, Mitral, Aortic.

A dog presents with regenerative anemia. Which of the following findings would you most likely see on a blood smear?

A. Hypochromic red blood cells
B. Spherocytes
C. Polychromasia
D. Target cells

C. Polychromasia

Memory Trick: “Poly = many colors” → bluish cells on blood smear.

On a lateral abdominal radiograph, which organ is usually located ventral to the stomach in a dog?

A. Spleen
B. Liver
C. Pancreas
D. Kidneys

C. Pancreas

Memory Trick: “Pancreas = Pancake under the stomach” → think flat and ventral.

Which NSAID is commonly used in cats but must be dosed carefully due to their limited ability to metabolize it?

A. Carprofen
B. Meloxicam
C. Aspirin
D. Ibuprofen

B. Meloxicam

Memory Trick: “Meloxicam = Main cat NSAID”

Which of the following is a clotting factor deficiency disorder most commonly seen in dogs, resulting in prolonged PT and aPTT?

A. Hemophilia A
B. Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia
C. Thrombocytopenia
D. Von Willebrand disease

A. Hemophilia A

Memory Trick: “Hemophilia = Hemorrhage factor problem”

Which of the following is the primary vector for transmitting Ehrlichia canis to dogs?

A. Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea)
B. Ixodes scapularis (deer tick)
C. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick)
D. Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick)

C. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick)

Memory Trick: “Ehrlichia = Ehh…brown dog tick”

Which of the following is the most accurate method to monitor ventilation in an anesthetized dog?

A. Pulse oximetry
B. Capnography
C. ECG
D. Doppler blood pressure

B. Capnography

Memory Trick: “CO₂ = ventilation, O₂ = oxygenation” → pulse oximeter monitors oxygen, not CO₂.

Which of the following parasites is zoonotic and can cause visceral or ocular larva migrans in humans?

A. Toxocara canis
B. Trichuris vulpis
C. Ancylostoma caninum
D. Dipylidium caninum

A. Toxocara canis

Memory Trick: “Toxocara = Tiny eggs → travel in humans”

Which drug is classified as a dissociative anesthetic commonly used in veterinary medicine?

A. Ketamine
B. Diazepam
C. Acepromazine
D. Xylazine

A. Ketamine

Memory Trick: K = Knockout

Which type of fracture healing occurs without a visible callus and requires rigid fixation?

A. Secondary (indirect) bone healing
B. Primary (direct) bone healing
C. Comminuted fracture healing
D. Greenstick fracture healing

B. Primary (direct) bone healing

Memory Trick: “Direct = no callus, needs screws or plates”

Which preanesthetic drug provides sedation and antiemetic effects but no analgesia?

A. Acepromazine
B. Diazepam
C. Xylazine
D. Morphine

A. Acepromazine

Memory Trick: “Ace = tranquil, no pain relief”

A cat presents with hypothermia, bradycardia, and lethargy. Which of the following is the most likely primary problem?

A. Shock
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Dehydration
D. Hyperthyroidism

B. Hypoglycemia

Memory Trick: “Cold, slow cat = sugar problem”

Which of the following is a common sign of hemolytic anemia in dogs?

A. Polychromasia
B. Icterus
C. Microcytosis
D. Hypochromasia

B. Icterus

Memory Trick: “Hemolysis = broken RBCs = bilirubin = yellow mucous membranes”

Which of the following structures is normally dorsal on a lateral abdominal radiograph of a dog?

A. Stomach
B. Liver
C. Kidneys
D. Pancreas

C. Kidneys

Memory Trick: “Dorsal = kidneys

ventral = stomach/pancreas”

Which parasite is commonly called the “hookworm” in dogs?

A. Toxocara canis
B. Trichuris vulpis
C. Ancylostoma caninum
D. Dipylidium caninum

C. Ancylostoma caninum

Memory Trick: “Hook = Ancylostoma”

Which of the following drugs is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist commonly used for sedation and analgesia in dogs and cats?

A. Diazepam
B. Xylazine
C. Acepromazine
D. Morphine

B. Xylazine

Memory Trick: “Xylazine = X-tra sedation + analgesia”

A dog has a microcytic, hypochromic anemia with low serum ferritin. What is the most likely cause?

A. Hemolysis
B. Iron deficiency
C. Chronic kidney disease
D. Lead toxicity

B. Iron deficiency

Memory Trick: “Small + pale + low ferritin = iron deficiency”

Which tick-borne disease in dogs is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii?

A. Ehrlichiosis
B. Lyme disease
C. Rocky Mountain spotted fever
D. Anaplasmosis

C. Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Memory Trick: “Rickettsia rickettsii → RMSF → tick + rash”

Which drug is considered a reversal agent for benzodiazepines such as diazepam?

A. Naloxone
B. Yohimbine
C. Flumazenil
D. Atipamezole

C. Flumazenil

Memory Trick: “Fluma = flips the benzo”

• Naloxone → opioids

• Yohimbine/Atipamezole → alpha-2 agonists

Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with Addison’s disease (hypoadrenocorticism) in dogs?

A. Hyperkalemia and hyponatremia
B. Hypernatremia and hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia
D. Hypokalemia and hyperchloremia

A. Hyperkalemia and hyponatremia

Memory Trick: “Addison’s = low salt, high K”

On a dental radiograph, what is the radiopaque line surrounding the tooth root that represents the dense bone of the socket?

A. Dentin
B. Cementum
C. Lamina dura
D. Periodontal ligament

C. Lamina dura

Memory Trick: “White socket line = lamina dura

black line = periodontal ligament”

Which parasite is the intermediate host for Dipylidium caninum (canine tapeworm)?

A. Mosquito
B. Tick
C. Flea
D. Snail

C. Flea

Memory Trick: “Flea tapeworm = Dipylidium”

Mosquito → heartworm

tick → Lyme/Ehrlichia

snail → flukes

During anesthesia, a dog shows tachycardia, increased ETCO₂, and rapidly rising temperature. Which life-threatening condition should you suspect?

A. Hypoxemia
B. Malignant hyperthermia
C. Hypovolemia
D. Hyperkalemia

B. Malignant hyperthermia

Memory Trick: “Hot + fast + high CO₂ = malignant hyperthermia”

In reptiles, which organ is responsible for excretion of uric acid as the primary nitrogenous waste?

A. Liver
B. Kidneys
C. Cloaca
D. Spleen

B. Kidneys

Memory Trick: “Reptile kidneys = uric acid factory”

Which antibiotic is a glycopeptide, reserved for resistant Gram-positive infections like MRSA, and is rarely used in veterinary medicine due to risk of human resistance?

A. Vancomycin
B. Amikacin
C. Clindamycin
D. Enrofloxacin

A. Vancomycin

Memory Trick: “Vancomycin = very last resort”