Physical Exams Study Set

Where and how do you assess respiratory rate?

you can observe or auscultate the sides of the animal then:

1) measure/count for 6, 10, or 15 seconds

2) record the amount

3) multiply the amount by 10, 6, or 4 to get the rate

the sides of the animal should also be listen to in 3 different areas(triangle formation) for any abnormalities

What are crackles?

a crumpling paper noise or clicking, rattling, or crackling noises caused by swelling, blockage, or mucous in the airway

What is wheezing?

high-pitched whistling sound during breathing

What is stertor?

intermittent yet persistent or continuous snorting noise caused by partial obstruction of the upper airways

What is stridor?

high-pithed, noisy breathing caused by an obstruction or narrowing of the upper airway

What are normal heart sounds?

Small Animals: 1 beat, usually no “lub-dub” sound

Large Animals: a “lub-dub” sound = 1 beat

they should be clear and not overly exaggerated

What are common abnormal heart issues and sounds?

1) murmur

2) skipping

3) arrhythmia(too fast or too slow)

What is a heart murmur?

improper closing of the heart valves that sounds like whooshing or swishing

Where are the mucous membranes assessed?

in the mouth on the gums or in the eyelids

What is a normal mucous membrane color and what does it indicate?

pink, indicates hydration, blood flow, and oxygen in the blood

What are the abnormal mucous membrane colors?

1) pale - white

2) blue

3) bright red

4) yellow

What does a pale to white mucous membrane color indicate?

anemia or shock

What does a blue mucous membrane color indicate?

smoke inhalation or suffocation

What does a bright red mucous membrane color indicate?

carbon monoxide poisoning

What does a yellow mucous membrane color indicate?

liver problems or failure

What is responsiveness and what does it indicate?

the quality of an animals reaction which can indicate overall health but also issues within the nervous system

Where do we assess pulse rate in small animals?

femoral artery(inside hind leg)

Where do we assess pulse rate in large animals?

maxillary artery(around jaw near eye)

What should normal lymph nodes feel like?

small, hard, bean shaped

What lymph nodes are palpated during small animal exams?

1) Submandibular

2) Prescapular

3) Axillary

4) Inguinal

5) Popliteal

What lymph nodes are palpated during large animal exams?

1) Submandibular

2) Prescapular

3) Axillary

Where are the lymph nodes palpated?

Submandibular: under the jaw

Prescapular: before/in front of the shoulder

Axillary: in the armpit

Inguinal: in the pelvic/groin area

Popliteal: in the inside of the hock region

How do we assess hydration status?

1) check CRT w/ mm

2) Skin Turgor Test(pulling loose skin to see how long it takes for it to return)