American Allied Health CVA Exam Study Guide Questions And Answers(All the questions from NHIE Study Guide and Manual)

Veterinary Assistant

High School Diploma; animal experience…

Veterinary Technician

High School Diploma; 2-year degree (associate's degree/LVT [Licensed Veterinary Technician] Certification)

Veterinary Technologist

LVT-continue education OR Bachelor's Degree with Veterinary Experience (Medical Lab Specialist)

Veterinarian: Education

4 years undergrad (Bachelors Degree), 4 years Vet Med School (Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine)

Staff Injuries

Can include: bites, fall, scratches, exposure to radiation and zoonotic diseases…back injuries…

Biohazardous Waste

Medical waste that can cause infection; ex: blood, urine, feces, tissues, needles, scalpel blades

Sharps Container

Dispose of needles, scalpel blades that have been used.

OSHA regulations

Occupational Safety and Health Administration; ensuring that the staff are always using the utmost care while handling animals, equipment, chemicals, etc

Common cleaning agent used in vet clinics

Diluted bleach, antiseptic, disinfectants, deodorizers, anti-virocides, anti-bactericides, anti-fungicide

Foods & Plants to be avoided by animals- Foods toxic to animals

-chocolate
 -grapes/raisins
 -avocado
 -grapes
 -coffee/tea
 -alcohol
 -garlic
 -onion
 -human food/scraps
 -milk

Priority of Animal Safety

Animal safety is most important in the vet clinic. Making sure all procedures, restraints, etc are done with the most humane way possible.

Autoclaving/chemical sterilization

Autoclaving is done by applying heat and pressure to sterilize. Chemical sterilization: putting the equipment into chemicals to sterilize
 Types of sanitation: cleaning, sterilizing, disinfecting, antiseptics
 Types of chemicals used: alcohols, aldehydes, chlorine, iodine/iodophors, ammonias

Poisonings

Bleach, antifreeze, etc

SDS Safety Data Sheet

Lists the use ingredients, how to store, etc of ALL chemicals in vet clinic/other business

Nosocomial infections

Infection/disease acquired at a hospital

Zoonotic infections

Disease/infection passed from animals to humans (ex: rabies, scabies, ringworm)

Clostridial infections

Infection caused by the clostridia bacteria (ex: tetanus and botulism)

Signs of Animals in Distress

[Tail between legs, hair standing up] Poor vital signs, white/pale gums, dehydrated, could be bleeding, respiratory distress-needing CPR, foreign object in airway or eyeball or body, low temperature, coughing/wheezing, may have a broken limb

Veterinary Dentistry

Parts of the tooth, periodontal disease/gingivitis, dentistry tools: scaler, ultrasonic scaler, toothbrush, x-ray, removal of teeth if needed

Veterinarian Radiation

X-ray, dosimeter, X-rays normally done to view bones-but can be done to view any other area (ex: abdomen [air or foreign objects] and chest)

Complications

Exposure to radiation of the technician/veterinarian, poor view of animal-not be able to diagnose, animal could not cooperate for an x-ray

Metric Conversion - Weight

Always measured in LBS or KG

Metric Conversion (dosages/conversions) - Measurements

Height, Temp, Respiration rate, heart rate, (vital signs)

Metric Conversion (dosages/conversions) - Vaccines

Common vaccines: Kennel cough, Parvo, Rabies, Distemper, Lymes; done on a vaccine schedule (refer to your vaccine chart)

Metric Conversion (dosages/conversions) - Injections- Modes of administering

Nasal, Oral, IM, IP, IV, Sub-Q

Metric Conversion (dosages/conversions) - Sites For Injections

Nasal-nose, Oral-mouth, IM-in muscle, IV-in vein, IP-in abdomen, Sub-Q-under skin (neck/shoulder/arm pit region)

Common Venipuncture Sites

Cephalic- forearm, Jugular- neck (2 jugular veins), Femoral/Saphenous- inner thigh

Specimen Collection

Urine- direct urine sample (insert a needle into bladder and draw urine) or catch method (cup and a stick)

Blood- via needle/syringe

Fecal- collected immediately after animal relieves itself

Capillary (sticks & refill time)- 1-2 seconds after pressing on gums

Tubes and common testing

Blood test, check fecals for parasites, urine analysis (checking PH levels, white blood cell count/etc), x-rays and ultrasound, regular physical/wellness exam

Smears

Blood smears to check blood under microscope for different bacteria present

Veterinary Surgery-
Positioning

Lateral recumbency & dorsal recumbency

Veterinary Surgery-
Pulse oximetry

measures the oxygen levels in the blood during surgery

Veterinary Surgery-
Suture

stitches- repairing torn tissue/organs/etc, closing wounds; types: dissolving (inside the body), nylon, silk, stainless steel, catgut (dissolving suture)

Veterinary Surgery-
Instruments

forceps (tweezers), scissors- can cut tissue and sutures, scalpel handle, scalpel blade

Veterinary Surgery-
Dressings

used for keeping the wound or surgical site clean. Can be used during surgery (betadine over entire surgical area- then drape with surgical towels) or after for wound care (4 layers of bandaging…..cotton, gauze pads, gauze rolls, tape, vet wrap)

Veterinary Surgery-
Bone marrow biopsy sites

humerus, pelvis, & femur. Uses 16-18 gauge needles- tests for red/white blood cell count (BCC), platelets levels, fat, cartilage, and bone. Helps with disease diagnosis

Veterinary Surgery-
Catheterization Sites

Cephalic, jugular, urinary catheter

Gestation

Nutritional Needs

length of pregnancy

More nutrients (fat/protein/carbs) additional vitamins and minerals are also required, potentially other supplements as well-as prescribed by veterinarian

Gestation Duration

Canine- 60-63 days

Feline(cat)- 60-63 days

Rabbit- 28-30 days

Bovine(cow)- 283 days

Equine(horse)- 11 months or 330 days

Porcine(pig)- 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days- 114 days

Front Office- Charting - Why important and what does it include?

Scheduling appts/surgeries. 'Charting' is usually referred to as the animal's Medical Record- detailing it's information, medical history; allergies, medications, etc
Patient/Client relationship with Veterinarian is important also!

Front Office-
SOAP

Subjective. Objective. Assessment. Plan. - A method of documentation employed by Veterinarian to write out notes and patient charting

Front Office-
POMR

Problem. Oriented. Medical. Record. Baseline data, problem list, and a plan for care- another process for Vet to go through to diagnose patient

Front Office-
POVMR

Problem. Oriented. Veterinary. Medical. Record.

Restraints
Proper holding techniques

Lateral, Dorsal, Sternal Recumbency, Jugular, Saphenous, Cephalic Venipuncture. The stretch=cats. Standing & Sitting restraints. Others: muzzle, air muzzle (brachycephalic/cats), cat bags/kitty burrito, and gauze muzzle

Vital Signs (normal ranges for animals listed below)
(Pulse, Temp, Respiration, Mucous Membrane, Capillary Refill Time, [Weight]?)

Dog canine T: 101.5-102.5 R: 10-30 BreathsPM HR: 70-120 BPM

Cat feline T: 101.5-102 R: 140-220 BreathsPM HR: 140-220 BPM

Horse equine T: 100 R: 8-16 BreathsPM HR: 30-60 BPM

Bird avian T: 107 R: 15-30 BreathsPM HR: 200-400 BPM

Pig porcine T: 101.5 R: 8-20 BreathsPM HR: 60-100 BPM

Sheep ovine T: 102-103 R: 12-20 BreathsPM HR: 60-90 BPM

Goat caprine T: 103 R: 10-30 BreathsPM HR: 70-90 BPM

Cow bovine T: 101 R: 10-30 BreathsPM HR: 60-70 BPM

Scientific names of animals

Dog canine Canis
Cat feline Felis
Horse equine Equis
Bird avian Avis
Pig porcine
Sheep ovine
Goat caprine
Cow bovine

Anatomical Abbreviations

AD (right ear), AS (left ear), AU (both ears) & OD (right eye) (overdose), OU (both eyes), OS (left eye)

Diagnostic Abbreviations

SOB (shortness of breath), URI (upper respiratory infection), UTI (urinary tract infection), tx (treatment), fx (fracture), sx (surgery), R/O (rule out)

Pharmacy Abbreviations

Qd (Once per day), BID (Twice per day), TID (Three times per day), QID (Four times per day), QOD (Every other day), po (By mouth), prn (As needed), Rx (Prescription)

Terminology - Root Words

(-pnea -breathing, cardio - heart)

Terminology - Suffixes

(-tomy, -octomy)

Terminology - Prefixes

(tachy-, brody, dys)

Chemical Abbreviations

Ca (calcium), Zn (zinc), S (sulfur), Fe (iron), Mg (magnesium), P (phosphorus), K (potassium), NaCl (sodium chloride-salt)

Common Diagnoses-
Sepsis

Life threatening illness caused by body's response to an infections (infection has reached bloodstream)

Common Diagnoses-
Parasites - Internal/External

Worms, fleas, ticks, lice, mites (TREATMENT/PREVENTION)

Common Diagnoses-
Fungus

Common Diagnoses-
Otitis media

Infection of the middle ear

Common Diagnoses-
Otitis externia

Infection of the ear canal

Common Diagnoses-
Uroliths

Calcium build up in urinary tract (males) or bladder stones

Common Diagnoses-
Renal failure

Kidneys inability to remove waste and balance fluids (kidney failure)

Common Diagnoses-
Burns (1, 2, 3 degree)

1st degree: burns outer layer of skin 2nd degree: affect outer layer and underlying layer of skin 3rd degree: destruction of the skin and underlying tissues [severe]

Common Diagnoses-
Hyper/hypo glycemia

Hypoglycemia: Not enough glucose in blood. Hyperglycemia: Too much glucose in blood.

Common Diagnoses-
Obesity

Overweight! Based on height/age/breed of an animal

Common Diagnoses-
Necrosis

Death of cells-dead tissue

Common Diagnoses-
Decubitus ulcer

Pressure point sores. Injury to skin and underlying tissue from prolonged inactivity

Common Procedures-
Ablation

Removal of body part

Common Procedures-
Laceration repair

Repairing a deep wound/cut

Common Procedures-
Incision

Cut made during surgery (scalpel) to access area being worked on

Common Procedures-
Debridement

Removal of damaged tissue or foreign objects

Common Procedures-
Degloving

Skin has been removed from a body part (major injury…..car accident)

Common Procedures-
Onychectomy

Removal of cat digits (declawing)

Common Procedures-
Celiotomy

Large incision through abdominal wall

Common Procedures-
Castration

Removal of testicles (livestock)

Common Procedures-
Euthanasia

Death by gas/injection (humane way of dying…..allowing animal to no longer suffer)

Common Procedures-
Necropsy

Autopsy of an animal to investigate reason for death (must be performed by veterinarian)

Common Procedures-
Biopsy

Sample taken to be tested (tissue, organ, etc)