Veterinary Technician Practice Model: Nursing
Process & Data Management questions and
answers
The Nursing Process
A systematic, cyclic approach to providing thorough and complete patient care.
Veterinary Technician Practice Model (VTPM)
An approach analogous to the nursing process, adapted for use by Veterinary Technicians.
VTPM Steps
There are 4 steps to the VTPM.
Step One: Data Collection
The first step in the VTPM where data is collected from various sources.
Step Two: Identify and Prioritize Technician Evaluations
The second step in the VTPM focusing on evaluating and prioritizing technician assessments.
Step Three: Develop and Implement Plan of Care
The third step in the VTPM where a care plan is created and executed.
Step Four: Evaluation
The final step in the VTPM where the effectiveness of the care plan is assessed.
Data Collection Sources
Data is collected from physical examinations, history, diagnostic tests, and medical diagnoses.
SOAP format
A documentation format consisting of Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan.
Objective Data
Data that can be measured or quantified; factual information.
Subjective Data
Observable data that is not necessarily measurable.
Relevant Data
Data that is pertinent to the patient's medical condition.
, Pattern Clusters
Identifying clusters of defining characteristics of a disease state.
Technician Evaluation
An assessment based on standardized nursing diagnoses, adapted for veterinary practice.
NANDA-I
The North American Nursing Diagnosis Association- International, which develops nursing diagnosis
terminology.
Veterinary Nursing Diagnoses
There is no standardized list for Veterinary Nursing Diagnoses, unlike human nursing.
Example of Data Collection
Max is a 10 yr old MC Lab presenting for lameness with a puncture wound and other symptoms.
BCS
Body Condition Score, a measure of an animal's body fat.
CBC
Complete Blood Count, a common diagnostic test in veterinary medicine.
Radiographs
X-ray images used to diagnose conditions in animals.
Ear Cytology
A diagnostic test that reveals the presence of yeast in the ear.
Example of Pattern Recognition
Low sodium and high potassium may indicate Addison's disease.
Example of Abnormality Recognition
Tacky mucous membranes and delayed skin turgor may indicate dehydration.
Technician Evaluations (TE)
Three types of evaluations that assess current problems, risk for future problems, and client
knowledge/coping deficits.
Type #1: Assessment of Current Problems
An evaluation that identifies current issues but is not a doctor's diagnosis; it is based on the patient's
physiological response.
Type #2: Assessment of Risk for Future Problems
Process & Data Management questions and
answers
The Nursing Process
A systematic, cyclic approach to providing thorough and complete patient care.
Veterinary Technician Practice Model (VTPM)
An approach analogous to the nursing process, adapted for use by Veterinary Technicians.
VTPM Steps
There are 4 steps to the VTPM.
Step One: Data Collection
The first step in the VTPM where data is collected from various sources.
Step Two: Identify and Prioritize Technician Evaluations
The second step in the VTPM focusing on evaluating and prioritizing technician assessments.
Step Three: Develop and Implement Plan of Care
The third step in the VTPM where a care plan is created and executed.
Step Four: Evaluation
The final step in the VTPM where the effectiveness of the care plan is assessed.
Data Collection Sources
Data is collected from physical examinations, history, diagnostic tests, and medical diagnoses.
SOAP format
A documentation format consisting of Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan.
Objective Data
Data that can be measured or quantified; factual information.
Subjective Data
Observable data that is not necessarily measurable.
Relevant Data
Data that is pertinent to the patient's medical condition.
, Pattern Clusters
Identifying clusters of defining characteristics of a disease state.
Technician Evaluation
An assessment based on standardized nursing diagnoses, adapted for veterinary practice.
NANDA-I
The North American Nursing Diagnosis Association- International, which develops nursing diagnosis
terminology.
Veterinary Nursing Diagnoses
There is no standardized list for Veterinary Nursing Diagnoses, unlike human nursing.
Example of Data Collection
Max is a 10 yr old MC Lab presenting for lameness with a puncture wound and other symptoms.
BCS
Body Condition Score, a measure of an animal's body fat.
CBC
Complete Blood Count, a common diagnostic test in veterinary medicine.
Radiographs
X-ray images used to diagnose conditions in animals.
Ear Cytology
A diagnostic test that reveals the presence of yeast in the ear.
Example of Pattern Recognition
Low sodium and high potassium may indicate Addison's disease.
Example of Abnormality Recognition
Tacky mucous membranes and delayed skin turgor may indicate dehydration.
Technician Evaluations (TE)
Three types of evaluations that assess current problems, risk for future problems, and client
knowledge/coping deficits.
Type #1: Assessment of Current Problems
An evaluation that identifies current issues but is not a doctor's diagnosis; it is based on the patient's
physiological response.
Type #2: Assessment of Risk for Future Problems
