The largest domain: patient assessment, nursing procedures, giving medications, restraint, behavior, sample collection and a safe hospital environment.
30 of 150 scored items · about 20% of the exam
What this domain covers
Evaluating patients: physical exam, behavior, nutrition and mentation
Nursing procedures such as catheter placement, wound care and bandaging
Clinical procedures such as blood pressure measurement, ECG and tonometry
Giving medications by the right route
Collecting specimens for the lab
Recognizing behavior and restraining patients safely
Keeping the environment safe, clean and comfortable for patients and people
This is everyday technician work, and it carries the most weight on the exam: 30 of the 150 scored items. A broad, practical grasp of nursing care pays off more here than anywhere else.
3 sample Animal Care & Nursing questions
Try each one before opening the answer. These come straight from the VetTech Pro question bank.
Question 1. When several different eye drops are prescribed for the same eye, what instruction should be given to the owner?
AGive them all in quick succession so the owner does not lose track
BAlternate the drops between the two eyes to spread the dosing out
CLeave at least five minutes between drops so each is not washed out
DMix the drops together in one bottle so a single drop covers all
Show answer and rationale
Answer: C. Leave at least five minutes between drops so each is not washed out
The conjunctival sac holds far less than one drop, so a second drop applied immediately displaces the first before it is absorbed. Spacing the doses preserves the efficacy of each, and ointments are applied last.
Question 2. Which observation during whelping indicates veterinary intervention is needed?
AA green discharge after the first puppy has been delivered
BA rest period of 20 minutes between puppies with the bitch settled
CThe bitch eating a placenta shortly after a puppy is delivered
DStrong unproductive straining for over 30 minutes with no puppy
Show answer and rationale
Answer: D. Strong unproductive straining for over 30 minutes with no puppy
Sustained forceful contractions without progress suggest obstructive dystocia. Rest periods between puppies are normal and green discharge is expected once a placenta has separated, but green discharge before any puppy has been born is also an emergency.
Question 3. A dog has brick-red mucous membranes with a capillary refill time under one second. What does this suggest?
AMethemoglobinemia from an oxidant toxin such as acetaminophen
BA hyperdynamic state, as in early sepsis or systemic inflammation
CSevere anemia with a compensatory rise in heart rate and output
DHypovolemic shock with poor perfusion and peripheral vasoconstriction
Show answer and rationale
Answer: B. A hyperdynamic state, as in early sepsis or systemic inflammation
Peripheral vasodilation in early sepsis gives injected membranes and a very rapid refill, often with bounding pulses. It is easily misread as healthy, and the patient may progress to the decompensated pale, slow-refill stage within hours.
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