Chapter 07 - History and Physical Examination

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

Abdominal pinging

Technique of identifying abdominal gas accumulations by simultaneous percussion and auscultation of the abdominal wall.

Alopecia

The partial or complete absence of hair from regions of the body where it normally grows.

Aortic stenosis

Congenital cardiac anomaly resulting in resistance to flow of blood from the left ventricle into the aorta.

Ataxia

Uncoordinated muscle movements when walking, usually associated with neurologic dysfunction.

Aural

In or of the ear.

Axillary

Under the armpit.

Barbering

Behavioral problem in which the animal obsessively grooms to the point of damaging the hair and skin.

Body condition score (BCS)

Estimate of body fat composition, with higher scores indicating overweight or obese animals, and lower scores indicating thin or emaciated animals.

Borborygmus (pl. borborygmi)

Rumbling noises caused by propulsion of gas and ingesta through the intestines.

Colitis

Inflammation of the colon.

Excoriation

Skin lesions caused by the self-trauma of scratching.

Fever

Elevation of body temperature caused by a temporary increase in the body’s thermoregulatory set point, usually caused by infection, inflammation, or neoplasia.

Glycosuria

The presence of glucose in the urine.

Halitosis

A foul odor to the breath.

Hyperthermia

Elevation of body temperature caused by inadequate heat-dissipating mechanisms to overcome excessive ambient heat, without a change in the body’s thermoregulatory set point.

Hypothermia

Abnormally low body temperature. The measured body temperature must be compared with what is normal for the age group because neonates have lower body temperatures than adults.

Hypovolemia

Decreased circulating blood volume.

Icterus

Yellow discoloration of tissues, serum, or plasma caused by the presence of bilirubin. Icterus, also referred to as jaundice, may develop as a result of hemolytic disease (prehepatic), liver disease (hepatic), or cholestasis (posthepatic or obstruction of bile flow).

Ileus

Functional loss of intestinal motility.

Mentation

Mental activity or acuity of a patient.

Nares

Nostrils.

Patent ductus arteriosus

Congenital cardiac anomaly that results in persistent vascular communication between the aorta and the pulmonary artery.

Perineal hernia

Herniation of abdominal contents through the pelvic diaphragm, resulting in swelling on either side of the anus.

Petechiation

Small, visible, pinpoint hemorrhage lesions less than 1 mm in diameter.

Pleural effusion

The accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural cavity (i.e., the space between the lungs and the chest wall); Fluid buildup in the space surrounding the lungs within the thorax.

Pneumothorax

Abnormal accumulation of air in the space between the rib cage and the lung. This abnormal air pocket compresses the lung, resulting in respiratory distress. The lung may collapse. This condition may be caused by injury to lung tissue, rupture of air-filled pulmonary cysts, or puncture of the chest wall.

Polydipsia

A condition evidenced by increased levels of thirst and excessive drinking (adj. polydipsic).

Pruritic

Itchy.

Pulmonary edema

Fluid buildup within the alveoli or interstitial spaces of the lung.

Pulse deficit

As detected by simultaneous cardiac auscultation and pulse palpation, a condition wherein each audible heartbeat is not accompanied by a palpable pulse wave.

Pulse pressure

The difference between systolic and diastolic pressures. This determines the intensity of the sensation when peripheral pulses are palpated.

Pyometra

Bacterial infection of the uterus with purulent fluid accumulation.

Renomegaly

Enlargement of one or both kidneys.

Shock

A condition of decreased perfusion and decreased oxygen delivery to vital organs.

Signalment

Information about a veterinary patient including the:

• name

• age,

• sex

• breed

• species

• electronic ID

• reproductive status

• color

• distinctive markings

Stertor

Inspiratory noise similar to snoring usually caused by obstruction to airflow at the pharynx or larynx.

Stridor

A harsh, high-pitched respiratory sound usually caused by obstruction of airflow at the pharynx or larynx.

Subjective assessment

Subjective assessment, observing the animal in the environment prior to approaching

Objective Assessment, a hands-on assessment to gather data

Pulse Rate - counted and recorded/minute

Temperature - rectally or aurally

Every physical examination should begin with which assessment?

• Objective assessment

• Subjective assessment

• Pulse rate

• Temperature

Rectal

Using a/an ____ thermometer is the optimal way to measure a patient's body temperature.

• Oral

• Aural

• Rectal

• Axillary

Pulse deficit

Absence of a palpable pulse with an audible heartbeat is referred to as what?

• Pulse pressure

• Pulse deficit

• Pulse rhythm

• Pulse quality

Icterus

Yellowish color of the gums of a horse indicates which of the following?

• Icterus

• Endotoxemia

• Cyanosis

• Petechiae

2.5 seconds

With regard to capillary refill time in a normal horse, the original color should return within how many seconds?

• 2.5 seconds

• 4.5 seconds

• 5 seconds

• 7.5 seconds

cardiac output

Capillary refill time is a reflection of which of the following?

• borborygmi

• cardiac output

• anemia

• oxygen saturation

2 weeks to 2 months following a heat cycle

Obtaining the date of the most recent heat cycle of intact female dogs is important because pyometra typically occurs during what time period?

• 2 weeks to 2 months following a heat cycle

• 3 to 4 months following a heat cycle

• 5 to 6 months following a heat cycle

• Immediately prior to a heat cycle

Stress

Mild elevations of body temperature can indicate which of the following?

• Bacterial infection

• Viral infection

• Stress

• Neoplasia

The difference between systolic and diastolic arterial pressures.

What does pulse pressure represent?

• Systolic pressure

• Diastolic pressure

• The equality between heart rate and pulse rate.

• The difference between systolic and diastolic arterial pressures.

The left paralumbar fossa

Where is the most common location for bloat to occur in the abdomen of cattle, the rumen, appears as an enlargement to which area?

• The right paralumbar fossa

• The left paralumbar fossa

• The right thoracic fossa

• The left thoracic fossa

Femoral artery

Which peripheral artery is typically palpated to obtain the pulse rate and pulse quality?

• Carotid artery

• Brachial artery

• Axillary artery

• Femoral artery

glucosuria

The presence of sugar in the urine.

• glycogenesis

• anuria

• glucosuria

• polyuria

perineal hernia

Abnormal movement of abdominal contents through the pelvic diaphragm

• perineal hernia

• inguinal hernia

• umbilical hernia

• hiatal hernia

shock

Decreased perfusion and oxygen delivery to tissues.

• hypovolemia

• shock

• hyperthermia

• pyometra

pyometra

A disease condition that causes and enlarged uterus because of buildup of pus.

• polyuria

• pyometra

• pyelometra

• pyoderma

mentation

Mental activity of a patient

• body condition score

• hydration

• mentation

• signalment

hyperthermia

Occurs when heat-dissipating mechanisms cannot overcome excessive ambient temperatures.

• shock

• hypothermia

• hyperthermia

• hypovolemia

D. barbering

Excessive grooming that damages hair and skin.
A. pruritis
B. erythema
C. excoriation
D. barbering

B. nares

The nostrils
A. septum
B. nares
C. labial
D. rostral

D. hypervolemia

Decreased circulating blood volume.
A. hypovolemia
B. hyperthermia
C. glucosuria
D. hypervolemia

C. colitis

Inflammation of the large bowel.
A. nephritis
B. enteritis
C. colitis
D. gastritis

A. pneumothorax

A condition that causes a lack of lung sounds in the dorsal lung fields.
A. pneumothorax
B. hemothorax
C. polythorax
D. hydrothorax

A. renomegaly

Enlargement of the kidneys.
A. renomegaly
B. renopathy
C. renal stenosis
D. renal atrophy

C. abdominal pinging

A technique used to detect abdominal gas accumulations.
A. abdominal auscultation
B. abdominal palpation
C. abdominal pinging
D. abdominal radar

D. axillary

Referring to the "arm pit"
A. aural
B. thoracic
C. auxiliary
D. axillary

B. hypothermia

A result of impaired thermoregulation in any sick animal, such as a cat with chronic renal failure.
A. hypertension
B. hypothermia
C. hypovolemia
D. hyperthermia

A. fever

Elevated body temperature, generally in response to infection.
A. fever
B. hypothermia
C. polythermia
D. hyperthermia

C. pleural effusion

A condition that causes a lack of lung sounds in the ventral lung fields.
A. pulmonary edema
B. pneumothorax
C. pleural effusion
D. pulse deficit

C. polydipsia

An adjective indicating increased water consumption.
A. oligodipsia
B. polyuria
C. polydipsia
D. hydrodipsia

B. false

In a normal animal the heart rate should be twice the pulse rate.
A. true
B. false

B. false

The popliteal lymph nodes are located in the caudal ventral abdomen just medial to the thighs.
A. true
B. false

A. true

Congenital defects are more likely to be diagnosed in younger patients.
A. true
B. false

B. False

Medical terminology should be avoided on the medical record.
A. True
B. False

A. true

Gingivitis is a precursor to periodontal disease.
A. true
B. false

A. true

Hypothermia is more common in patients that are young, old, or thin.
A. true
B. false

A. true

The nictitating membrane is also known as the third eyelid.
A. true
B. false

A. true

The canine uterus cannot be palpated unless it is enlarged.
A. true
B. false

A. true

The medical record is a legal document.
A. true
B. false

B. false

Animals do not suffer from allergic reactions to medications.
A. true
B. false

B. shock

Which is caused by a cardiovascular problem?
A. stertor
B. shock
C. colitis
D. glycosuria

B. increased drinking

What is seen in a polydipsic cat?
A. ileus
B. increased drinking
C. increased urination
D. hypovolemia

D. anisocoria

What is the medical term for pupils of different sizes?
A. cataract
B. heterotropia
C. glaucoma
D. anisocoria

A. when the heart rate exceeds the pulse rate

A pulse deficit occurs in which situation?
A. when the heart rate exceeds the pulse rate
B. whenever the pulse slows down
C. when the heart rate is less than the pulse rate
D. whenever the pulse is weaker than normal

C. thrombocytopenia

Petechiation inside the pinna may be a sign of which disorder?
A. otitis externa
B. hematoma
C. thrombocytopenia
D. otitis media

D. not interested in surroundings

What is seen in an animal that is obtunded?
A. head tilt and circling
B. weak in rear end
C. hyperactivity
D. not interested in surroundings

(category of mentation)

D. stertor

Which may be a sign of upper airway disease?
A. pyometra
B. ataxia
C. ileus
D. stertor

B. femoral artery

From which vessel is the pulse generally taken in a dog or cat?
A. jugular vein
B. femoral artery
C. carotid artery
D. cephalic vein

A. hypovolemia

Which may cause a weak peripheral pulse?
A. hypovolemia
B. stertor
C. hypothermia
D. ileus

A. increased central venous pressure

What causes the jugular veins to be distended all the way up the neck?
A. increased central venous pressure
B. dehydration
C. anemia
D. hypotension

C. ear

The aural temperature is taken from which site?
A. vagina
B. mouth
C. ear
D. rectum

A. colitis

Which may be occurring in a cat that resists having a rectal thermometer placed?
A. colitis
B. polydipsia
C. ileus
D. icterus

C. pustules

Which is a sign of a bacterial skin infection?
A. a nodule
B. broken hairs
C. pustules
D. a mass

D. pulse deficit

An audible heartbeat without a pulse.
A. pulse pressure
B. pulse rate
C. arterial occlusion
D. pulse deficit

A. pulmonary edema

Abnormal fluid buildup within the lung tissue.
A. pulmonary edema
B. pneumothorax
C. perineal hernia
D. pleural effusion

B. false

There is no need to ask behavior-related questions when obtaining a history about a sick animal.
A. true
B. false

D. aural

Referring to the ear.
A. ophthalmic
B. oral
C. gastric
D. aural

C. aortic stenosis

A heart defect associated with narrowing of the outflow tract of the left ventricle.
A. venous stenosis
B. aortic thrombosis
C. aortic stenosis
D. mitral stenosis

B. entropion

The rolling of the lower eyelid in toward the eye is known as:
A. ectropion
B. entropion
C. hypyon
D. miosis

C. perfusion

Capillary refill time is used to assess which condition?
A. heart rate
B. dehydration
C. perfusion
D. anemia

B. stethoscope

Which device is used for auscultation?
A. otoscope
B. stethoscope
C. x-ray machine
D. ophthalmoscope

A. tape prep

B. skin scraping

C. DTM (dermatophyte test medium)

Select all that apply:
What test might the DVM perform if he suspects the patient is suffering from a fungal infection?
A. tape prep
B. skin scraping
C. DTM
D. fluorescein stain

D. coloration that indicates bacterial septicemia and/or septic shock

Brick red mucous membranes is a:
A. yellowish coloring of the gums that indicates icterus
B. bluish tint that usually indicates extremely low oxygen content in the tissue
C. white coloring of the gums that indicate a lack of red blood cells (anemia) and or/vasoconstriction
D. coloration that indicates bacterial septicemia and/or septic shock
E. purple color of the gums that appears along the margins of the teeth, commonly referred to as a toxic line

A. indicates reduced blood perfusion

A capillary refill time of more than 2 seconds:
A. indicates reduced blood perfusion
B. indicates pain
C. indicates fever
D. is normal in some dog breeds
E. is a normal CRT