2024 VTNE Critical Care Exam 3 Latest Questions With Complete Grade A Answers
- This ECG demonstrates which arrhythmia?
Answer: Atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter
The presence of frequent P waves with no discernible QRS complexes make this an arrhythmia that is atrial in origin.
- Which of these dog breeds is most predisposed to development of gastric
dilatation and volvulus?
Answer: Great Dane
The correct answer is Great Dane. Large and giant breed pure-bred dogs, particularly with deep chests, are very predisposed to developing GDV. Great Danes are a classic example; other common breeds include Weimaraner, Saint Bernard, and Irish Setters.
- A dog has a high fever, is lethargic, and is diagnosed with peritonitis. What does
this dog have?
Answer: Inflammation of the internal abdominal lining
The peritoneum is a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. It also covers most of the abdominal organs. The peritoneum helps support the organs and helps to facilitate blood and lymph flow to these organs.
Peritonitis is inflammation ("itis") of the peritoneum. The most common causes of peritonitis include infection (such as a leak in the GI tract or a ruptured gall bladder).In cats, FIP causes a viral peritonitis.Fluid in the pericardial sac is termed pericardial effusion. The pleura is the tissue that protects the lungs.
- A 13-year old diabetic cat arrests during hospitalization during a blood glucose
curve. During resuscitation efforts, an emergency blood panel is run which reveals a blood pH of 6.4. What drug may be requested by the veterinarian to help correct this abnormality but would not be used as a long-term therapy?
Answer: Sodium bicarbonate 1 / 4
A blood pH of 6.4 is low, or acidic. Sodium bicarbonate can increase the cat's blood pH but ultimately the underlying problem (the diabetes) must be treated. Insulin may be used in both resuscitation efforts and long-term therapy. Darbopoetin causes an increase in red blood cell production and has no effect on blood pH. Potassium gluconate is administered orally to correct hypokalemia. Methylprednisolone can cause an increase in blood glucose levels and is not a drug used to correct pH.Corticosteroids such as this should be avoided in diabetic patients when possible.
- A dog tries to swallow his ball and it gets stuck in the back of his throat. He is
breathing very slowly and is not ventilating properly. He is alert but the obstructive breathing is a concern. Which of the following abnormalities would you expect?
Answer: Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory obstruction leads to accumulation of carbon dioxide. Increased PCO2 results in lower blood pH. This is respiratory acidosis.
- A 10-year old Chow Chow needs a whole blood transfusion due to anemia from
chronic renal failure. The patient has received multiple blood transfusions over the last 2 years. What blood test is needed prior to initiating the transfusion?
Answer: Crossmatch
Patients who have had multiple blood transfusions are more likely to have a reaction to subsequent blood product transfusions. In order to reduce the likelihood of a reaction, a major and minor crossmatch should be performed prior to administration.To know what donors would most likely be compatible, the patient's blood type could be determined. Dogs with the same blood type still require a crossmatch, especially if the dog has received prior transfusions.
- You are working in the large animal ward at the hospital. You are receiving a
horse that needs immediate treatment for dehydration. The vet asks you to calculate the fluid deficit for this horse. He is a 950-pound horse that is about 7% dehydrated.What is his fluid deficit?
Answer: 30 L
You can estimate the fluid deficit by the following formula:
Body weight in kg X % dehydration = Liters needed to re-establish hydration So for
this horse:
950 pounds/2.2 pounds per kilogram (pounds cancel out) = 431.8 kg (will round up to 432kg) 2 / 4
Now, multiply by percent dehydrated:
432 kg X 0.07 (which is 7%) = 30 Liters
- A 60 lb Bulldog is to receive intravenous fluids at a maintenance rate. Assuming
the maintenance rate can be calculated as 60 ml/kg/day, what would the fluid rate be per hour? Round answer to the closest milliliter/hour.
Answer: 68
The answer is 68. 60 lb/2.2 kg/lb = 27.27 kgs in weight. 27.27 x 60 ml/kg = 1636 ml/day.1636 ml/day / 24hrs/day = 68 ml/hour
- In a pregnant mare, "red bag" delivery implies what situation?
Answer: Premature placental separation
Red bag is the layman's term for premature separation of the chorioallantois from the placenta and is a medical emergency. The chorioallantois interfaces with the mare's endometrium and is the interface that transfers oxygen to the fetus. Under normal circumstances, the fetus breaks through the chorioallantois at the cervical star, and the fetus and amniotic sac are delivered first. In a red bag delivery, the entire fetal-placental unit is being delivered all at once and thus can cut off the oxygen supply to the fetus prior to birth; this can result in death of the fetus if parturition is not facilitated immediately.
- Release of what molecule from the sarcoplasmic reticulum ultimately helps to
achieve muscle contraction?
Answer: Calcium
The correct answer is calcium, which is required for muscle contraction.
- An owner rushes in with her Labrador retriever who is having non-productive
retching, is lethargic, and has a distended abdomen. She wants to know if he has "bloat". Which condition is she concerned about?
Answer: Gastric dilation volvulus
Gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV) is when the stomach dilates and then rotates around itself on the short axis. It is a life-threatening emergency to which owners 3 / 4
often refer to as "bloat".
- A rancher pulls into the clinic you are working at and rushes in to say his horse
is having difficulty breathing. You assist the vet in examining the horse and note that the horse is in respiratory distress. He has dilated pupils and bright red mucous membranes. You are asked to pull blood for testing which you note is also bright red in color. Which of the following may cause this in the horse?
Answer: Cyanide toxicity
The correct answer is cyanide toxicity. The bright red-colored blood and mucous membranes with signs of respiratory distress are typical findings for cyanide toxicity.There are many plants that can accumulate cyanide to levels that are toxic to horses.They include Sudan and Johnson grasses, cherries (chokecherries), and Sorghum.Treatment is with sodium nitrate or sodium thiosulfate IV.
Use of black walnut shavings in horse bedding can cause laminitis. Choke is an obstruction in the esophagus. It may cause coughing or distress, but not bright red blood. COPD, also called heaves due to heavy expiration, can be caused by dusty or moldy hay, dust and molds in bedding, or pollens, dust and other irritants in the environment. Horses housed with these symptoms should be led out to pasture to remove them from the irritating environment.
- A dog has ruptured a chordae tendinae. What condition can this lead to?
Answer: Congestive heart failure
The chordae tendinae are cord-like tendons that connect the papillary muscles to the tricuspid valve and the mitral valve in the heart. If this structure ruptures, the valves can no longer function properly, and this can lead to congestive heart failure.
- A veterinarian has diagnosed a horse with a fracture of the distal metatarsal. In
regards to emergency management, which of the following is NOT part of triage?
Answer: Repair of the fracture
Stabilization, pain management, and development of a treatment plan are all part of triage; repair is not.
- A 5-year old feline presents after being hit by a car. The veterinarian wants you to
administer mannitol intravenously. For what reason was mannitol chosen as a therapy?
Answer: It reduces intracranial pressure
Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic and reduces acute increases in intracranial pressure.
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