Veterinary Science: Health Assessment Quiz

I. Understanding and Practicing Math

• Know your conversations
• Dosage calculations

II. Physical Exam

• Know your normal values
  • Temperature:
    • Dogs: 100.5-102.5°F (38.0-39.2°C)
    • Cats: 100.0-102.5°F (37.8-39.2°C)
  • Pulse:
    • Dogs: 60-160 beats per minute (bpm) (varies with size and breed)
    • Cats: 140-220 bpm
  • Respiration Rate:
    • Dogs: 10-30 breaths per minute
    • Cats: 15-30 breaths per minute
• Dosage Calculations: Dose needed/concentration=Volume Desired dose/Available dose x quantity
• General Appearance: Observe the animal's demeanor (alert, lethargic, anxious), body condition (overweight, underweight, ideal), and gait (lameness, stiffness).
• Vital Signs:
  • Temperature: Measured rectally with a digital thermometer.
  • Pulse: Palpated (felt) over the femoral artery (groin) or other locations.
  • Respiration Rate: Observed by watching the chest rise and fall.
• Head and Neck:
  • Eyes: Examine for discharge, cloudiness, redness, or abnormalities of the pupils.
  • Ears: Inspect for discharge, redness, or foreign bodies.
  • Nose: Check for discharge, dryness, or any abnormalities.
  • Mouth: Examine teeth and gums for signs of dental disease (plaque, tartar, gingivitis).
  • Lymph Nodes: Palpate the lymph nodes in the neck and under the jaw for any enlargement.
• Thorax: Auscultation: Listen to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope for any abnormal sounds (murmurs, crackles, wheezes).
• Abdomen: Palpation: Gently feel the abdomen to assess the size and shape of the internal organs (liver, spleen, kidneys).

III. Neurological Exam

• Cranial nerves/functions
  • Olfactory (CN I): Function: Sense of smell.
  • Optic (CN II): Function: Vision.
  • Oculomotor (CN III): Function: Eyelid elevation, pupil constriction, most eye movements.
  • Trochlear (CN IV): Function: Downward and inward eye movement.
  • Trigeminal (CN V): Function: Sensory innervation of the face, motor innervation of the muscles of mastication (chewing).
  • Abducens (CN VI): Function: Lateral eye movement.
  • Facial (CN VII): Function: Facial expressions, taste sensation on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.
  • Vestibulocochlear (CN VIII): Function: Hearing, balance.
  • Glossopharyngeal (CN IX): Function: Swallowing, taste sensation on the posterior one-third of the tongue, salivary gland secretion.
  • Vagus (CN X): Function: Swallowing, speech, heart rate, digestion.
  • Accessory (CN XI): Function: Shoulder and neck movements.
  • Hypoglossal (CN XII): Function: Tongue movement.

IV. Venipuncture

• Know the common injection sites
• Catheter placement
• Prepare the site: Clip the hair around the chosen site and clean it with an antiseptic solution.
• Insert the catheter: Gently insert the needle into the vein at the appropriate angle.
• Advance the catheter: Once blood return is confirmed, advance the catheter over the needle into the vein.
• Remove the needle: Carefully withdraw the needle while holding the catheter in place.
• Secure the catheter: Connect to tubing and secure it in place.

V. Nutrition

• Protein: Builds and repairs tissues, enzymes, hormones (meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy)
• Carbohydrates: Primary source of energy (grains, vegetables, fruits)
• Fats: Concentrated energy source, skin and coat health (meat, fish, oils, seeds)
• Vitamins: Essential for bodily functions (water-soluble, fat-soluble)
• Minerals: Important for bone health, nerve function (calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, trace minerals)
• Water: Essential for all bodily functions (digestion, circulation, temperature regulation)

VI. Sample Collection

• Centesis: Aspiration of fluid from a body cavity
• Procedures involving sample collection: Abdominocentesis, Thoracocentesis, Arthrocentesis, Blood Collection, Urine Collection, Cystocentesis, Urinary Catheterization, Fecal Collection, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Tap, Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA), Biopsy, Swabs.

VII. Reproduction

• Hormones: Estrogen, Progesterone, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
• Estrous cycle: Proestrus, Estrus, Diestrus, Anestrus
• Clinical signs during each stage of the estrous cycle

VIII. Euthanasia and Bereavement

• Common drugs used for euthanasia (e.g., pentobarbital)
• Stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance

IX. Wound Management

• Wound healing stages: Inflammation, Proliferation, Maturation
• Wound types: Lacerations, Abrasions, Puncture wounds

X. Burns

• Tissue damage (heat, chemicals, radiation)
• Wound classifications: Clean, Clean-Contaminated, Contaminated, Dirty/Infected
• Wound closure: Primary, Delayed Primary, Secondary, Tertiary
• Bandages: Protect the wound from further injury and contamination, Absorb exudate, Provide support and immobilization, Promote healing

Test your knowledge on vital signs and physical exam protocols for dogs and cats. This quiz covers important aspects like dosage calculations and normal values for temperature, pulse, and respiration. Perfect for aspiring veterinarians and animal health students.