Ten practice questions for the Veterinary Technician National Exam, one from each of the 10 VTNE domains. Every answer comes with a written rationale. No sign-up needed.
10 questions · about 10 minutes · answers included
Domain: Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Answer: B. 440 mg
Convert pounds to kilograms first: 48 lb ÷ 2.2 = 21.8 kg, rounded to 22 kg. Then multiply by the dose: 22 kg × 20 mg/kg = 440 mg (436.4 mg without rounding, so 440 mg is still the closest option). Multiplying the dose by the weight in pounds instead of kilograms is the classic error.
Domain: Dentistry
Answer: B. 101
In the modified Triadan system the first digit is the quadrant (1 right maxilla, 2 left maxilla, 3 left mandible, 4 right mandible) and the last two digits are the tooth position counted from the midline, with the canine always 04 and the first molar always 09. The right maxillary central incisor is therefore 101.
Domain: Laboratory Procedures
Answer: B. Numerous polychromatophils
Polychromatophils are immature red cells released early from marrow and stain bluish with Romanowsky stains; they correspond to reticulocytes and are the smear hallmark of regeneration. Rouleaux reflects protein changes, not regeneration.
Domain: Diagnostic Imaging
Answer: D. Decrease kVp by 10-15%
Radiographic density is primarily controlled by mAs, while contrast (penetration) is controlled by kVp. If the image is too dark and lacks contrast (overpenetrated), the correct adjustment is to decrease kVp by 10-15%. A 10-15% change in kVp alters penetration and the scale of contrast; mAs stays the same when overall density is otherwise acceptable.
Domain: Anesthesia
Answer: B. Just before extubation, once protective swallowing reflexes are returning
The cuff is the airway protection, so it stays inflated while the patient is still obtunded and at risk of regurgitation. It is deflated immediately before removal, and the tube is withdrawn as swallowing returns.
Domain: Animal Care & Nursing
Answer: A. 30 mL/hr
Daily requirement: 18 kg × 40 mL/kg/day = 720 mL/day. Hourly rate: 720 mL ÷ 24 hours = 30 mL/hr, rounded to 30 mL/hr. Forgetting to divide by 24 gives the daily volume (720) as a rate, a common and dangerous error.
Domain: Surgical Nursing
Answer: A. Only the top surface; anything below table level is non-sterile
Drape edges hanging below the table cannot be monitored and may contact non-sterile surfaces. An instrument that slips below table level is contaminated even if it never visibly touches anything.
Domain: Emergency & Critical Care
Answer: D. Immediate prolonged lavage with saline or clean water
Dilution and removal limit the depth of injury, and every minute of delay increases damage. Attempting chemical neutralization generates heat and worsens the injury.
Domain: Pain Management & Analgesia
Answer: D. The score prompting it, drug, time, and the reassessment score afterwards
The reassessment closes the loop and demonstrates whether the intervention worked. Without it, a repeatedly ineffective drug can be given for days without anyone noticing the pattern.
Domain: Communication & Professional Support
Answer: D. Disinfectants need a set wet contact time to achieve their claimed kill
Wiping a surface and drying it immediately does not disinfect it regardless of the product used. Parvovirus in particular requires a specific agent and an adequate wet contact period.
Ten questions is a quick check, not a prediction of your VTNE score. The real exam has 150 scored questions weighted by domain and reports a scaled score; see the VTNE exam format. A miss here is still useful: open that domain's page to see what it covers and how much of the exam it carries.
VetTech Pro has 3,316 VTNE practice questions with rationales, mock exams weighted like the real VTNE, and progress tracking that shows your weakest domains. Start with 30 free questions.
Start free: 30 questions, no card
VetTech Pro