Ch. 1 - Introduction to Veterinary Nursing and Technology: Its Laws and Ethics

VTHT 1301 Introduction to Veterinary Technology - McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses

Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties

CVTS

Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties (CVTS)

Committee that helps guide and structure the development of specialties for veterinary technicians and provides a standardized list of criteria and assistance for societies interested in attaining academy status

National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America

NAVTA

National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America (NAVTA)

An association dedicated to representing and promoting veterinary technology.

Practice Acts

Primary laws or statutes written and passed by the legislature to govern the practice of a profession. Typically, each state has its own practice act for each licensed profession.

Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada/Technologues et Techniciens Veterinaires en Registres du Canada

RVTTC

Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada/Technologues et Techniciens Veterinaires en Registres du Canada (RVTTC)

The national association of registered veterinary technician and technologists in Canada.

Rules and Regulations

Secondary mandates written by the state board.

Societies

Organizations formed by veterinary technicians who share a common interest in a particular aspect of veterinary technology.

Technician assessment

Clinical judgment that the veterinary technician makes regarding the physiologic and psychological problems and needs of a patient. The technician assessment comprises the “A” portion of the veterinary technician SOAP—the list of technician evaluations arranged in order of priority with reference to the psychological and physiologic needs of the patient.

Technician evaluation

The second phase of the veterinary technician practice model. Conclusions drawn from patient assessment and analysis of the database related to the animal’s (or the owner’s) physical and psychological response to a veterinary medical condition.

Technician intervention

The third phase of the veterinary technician practice model. An action planned and implemented by the veterinary technician using independent critical thinking to address a patient’s reaction to illness and risk for future problems, as well as owner knowledge deficits. Typically, a technician intervention is carried out to address each of the technician evaluations.

Veterinarian

A graduate of an accredited school of veterinary medicine. Veterinarians typically complete 4 years of undergraduate study and acquire a bachelor’s degree before completing an additional 4 years of postgraduate study in veterinary medicine.

Veterinary assistant

The adjectives “animal,” “veterinary,” “ward,” and “hospital” combined with the nouns “attendant,” “caretaker,” and “assistant” are titles sometimes used for individuals involved in the care of animals whose training, knowledge, and skills are less than those required for a veterinary technician, laboratory animal technician, or veterinarian. They are responsible for assisting the veterinary technician and the veterinarian and are trained on the job or complete 4 to 6 months of training.

Veterinary practice

Modern veterinary practices are often owned by corporations or teams of veterinarians and often employ many veterinarians and a staff of veterinary technicians, assistants, receptionists, and kennel workers. Practices can also be privately owned or be specialty or referral practices that employ veterinarians who have completed advanced, specialized training in a particular aspect of veterinary medicine or surgery.

Veterinary Technician National Examination

VTNE

Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)

A national examination for veterinary technicians required in most U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

Veterinary technician practice model

Serves as the foundation for the practice of veterinary technology and includes a series of prescribed steps taken by veterinary technicians engaged in patient care. These include the following:

1. Gather data about the patient.

2. Identify and prioritize patient evaluations.

3. Develop and implement a plan for patient care by establishing a series of veterinary nursing interventions.

4. Evaluate the patient’s response to the plan of care.

5. Gather additional data (go back to Step 1, and reevaluate the patient).

Veterinary technician specialist (VTS)

Credentialed veterinary technician who has completed the requirements established by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties (CVTS), such as graduating from an AVMA-accredited program and completing the education and training required by the respective academy of specialists.

Veterinary technologist

A graduate of a 4-year baccalaureate American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)–accredited program in veterinary technology.

Veterinary technology

The science and art of providing professional support to veterinarians. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredits programs in veterinary technology that graduate veterinary technicians and/or veterinary technologists.

Patient’s mentation

Subjective information gathered on a patient includes observable information, such as the patient’s history and nonmeasurable physical examination findings which would include observations of the patient’s mentation, degree of edema, estimated levels of dehydration, and degree of appetite level.

Which of the following would be appropriate data gathered for subjective information about a patient?

• Patient’s blood pressure

• Patient’s heart rate

• Laboratory results

• Patient’s mentation

Prescribe medication

Veterinary technicians may perform many tasks delegated by the veterinarian; however only a veterinarian is allowed to perform the following tasks: prescribe medication, diagnose, prognose, or perform surgery.

Veterinary technicians are allowed to perform a variety of tasks delegated by the veterinarian. Which of the following tasks may only be performed by a licensed veterinarian?

• Administer medication

• Prescribe medication

• Place intravenous catheters

• Monitor anesthesia

The drug’s capacity for addiction

Controlled drugs are categorized into specific classes or schedules based on the drug’s capacity for addiction.

Controlled substances are categorized into specific classes or schedules based on what?

• The drug’s capacity for addiction

• The drug’s level of anesthetic achievement

• The drug’s level of potential death rate

• The drug’s level of analgesia

4-year Bachelor of Science degree in veterinary technology

Veterinary technologists hold a Bachelor of Science degree in veterinary technology from a 4-year AVMA accredited program.

What level of education is required for a veterinary technologist?

• Certification completion

• On-the-job training

• 2-year associate degree

• 4-year Bachelor of Science degree in veterinary technology

Veterinary practice

The medical record is a legal document owned by the veterinary practice or supervising institution.

Who owns a patient’s medical records?

• Veterinary practice

• No one; it is public record

• Practice manager

• Owner

A licensed veterinarian is not on the premises but is able to perform the duties of a licensed veterinarian by maintaining direct communication.

The NAVTA model rules and regulations for veterinary technicians include three levels of supervision: immediate, direct, and indirect. Indirect supervision is defined as a licensed veterinary who is not on the premises but is able to perform the duties of a licensed veterinarian by maintaining direct communication.

As defined by the NAVTA model rules and regulations for veterinary technicians, which definition is considered to be an indirect supervision?

• A licensed veterinarian is within direct eyesight and hearing range.

• A licensed veterinarian is not on the premises but is able to perform the duties of a licensed veterinarian by maintaining direct communication.

• A licensed veterinarian is on the premises and is readily available.

• A licensed veterinarian is assisting in the current procedure.

Direct supervision

A licensed veterinarian is on the premises and is readily available.

Immediate supervision

A licensed veterinarian is within direct eyesight and hearing range.

1960

The profession of veterinary technology began to take form in the early 1960s with the establishment of the first formal university-level program for the education of animal health technicians.

When did veterinary technology first have a formal university-level program for the education of animal health technicians?

• 2010

• 1960

• 2000

• 1980

Animal Care and Nursing

The VTNE examination covers nine primary areas or domains within the profession of veterinary technology; animal care nursing contains the most content at 20% of the examination.

The VTNE examination is composed of 150 multiple choice questions which cover nine primary areas or domains within the profession of veterinary technology. Which domain is covered the most on the exam?

• Pharmacy and Pharmacology

• Animal Care and Nursing

• Surgical Nursing

• Anesthesia

Veterinary technician

The veterinary technician is responsible for preparing the patient for entry into the operating room which includes calculating and administering preoperative anesthetic agents.

Who is responsible for calculating and administering preoperative anesthetic agents?

• Veterinarian

• Veterinary assistant

• Veterinary technician

• Kennel assistant

Prior to entering the operating room

The appropriate time for the technician to perform the initial skin preparation for surgery is prior to entering the operating room after the patient is anesthetized to avoid any hair or contaminants from entering the operating room.

When is the appropriate time for a technician to perform the initial skin preparation for surgery?

• Once the patient is positioned on the operating table after all monitoring devices are in place

• Skin preparation prior to surgery is performed by the veterinarian only to ensure the proper area is prepared for that specific operation

• Prior to entering the operating room

• In the examination room prior to the owner leaving