VETERINARY TECHNICIAN NATIONAL EXAMINATION (VTNE)
EMERGENCY & CRITICAL CARE
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 EDITION
200 questions · 10 content sections · 4-option multiple choice with rationales
Aligned with the current AAVSB VTNE test plan — Emergency & Critical Care domain — and
evidence-based ECC practice (triage, shock & fluid therapy, CPR, respiratory, neurologic, trauma,
toxicology, procedures, special species & ocular emergencies, integrated scenarios).
Cognitive level mix: 30% recall (definitions, normal values, drug facts) · 50% application (priority
interventions, drug and fluid choices, procedures) · 20% analysis (interpreting emergencies, differentiating
shock types, critical decisions). Question style: 75% scenario-based, 25% direct knowledge.
HOW TO USE THIS EXAM
Work through each section in order and record your answers on a separate sheet. Each question is followed
immediately by the correct answer and a brief rationale, so cover the answer line with a card while
answering, then reveal it to self-grade. Aim to complete the 200 questions in timed blocks and review every
rationale — especially the ones you answered incorrectly.
Page 1 of 45
,EXAM STRUCTURE AT A GLANCE
# Section Questions
1 Section 1 — TRIAGE & INITIAL PATIENT ASSESSMENT — TRIAGE, PRIMARY
Q1–Q25
SURVEY,
(25) STABILIZATION
2 Section 2 — SHOCK & FLUID THERAPY — SHOCK TYPES, FLUID CHOICES,
Q26–Q55
CVP, MONITORING
(30)
3 Section 3 — CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION — CPR RATES, DRUG
Q56–Q80
ROUTES,(25)
INTUBATION, POST-ARRES
4 Section 4 — RESPIRATORY EMERGENCIES — PNEUMOTHORAX, AIRWAY
Q81–Q105
OBSTRUCTION,
(25) OXYGEN THERAPY
5 Section 5 — NEUROLOGIC EMERGENCIES — STATUS EPILEPTICUS, HEAD
Q106–Q120
TRAUMA, (15)
SPINAL EMERGENCIES
6 Section 6 — TRAUMATIC & SURGICAL EMERGENCIES — WOUND HEALING,
Q121–Q140
GDV, TRAUMA
(20)
7 Section 7 — TOXICOLOGIC & METABOLIC EMERGENCIES — EMESIS CONTRAINDICATIONS,
Q141–Q160 (20) KETOACIDOSIS, TO
8 Section 8 — EMERGENCY PROCEDURES & TECHNIQUES — ABDOMINOCENTESIS,
Q161–Q180IO(20)
CATHETERS, C-SECTION
9 Section 9 — SPECIAL SPECIES & OCULAR EMERGENCIES — AVIAN/EXOTIC,
Q181–Q190
PROPTOSIS,
(10) PARAPHIMOSIS
10 Section 10 — INTEGRATED CLINICAL SCENARIOS — COMPLEX EMERGENCY
Q191–Q200
CASES (10)
Total questions verified: 200
Page 2 of 45
,SECTION 1: TRIAGE & INITIAL PATIENT ASSESSMENT — TRIAGE,
PRIMARY SURVEY, STABILIZATION (25 QUESTIONS)
Q1: The emergency technician's PRIMARY goal during the first 60 seconds after a critical patient
arrives is to:
A. Obtain a complete signalment and vaccination history from the owner
B. Complete a full physical examination and record baseline vitals
C. Perform the primary survey (ABCs and perfusion assessment) and identify life-threatening problems
[CORRECT]
D. Place an intravenous catheter and collect blood for a minimum database
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The primary survey — airway, breathing, circulation, mentation, and perfusion — identifies
immediately life-threatening abnormalities so stabilization can begin. History and diagnostics are deferred until the
patient is stable.
Q2: A clinic receives five patients at the same time: a cat in respiratory arrest; a dog with a
bleeding toenail; a hamster with a minor bite wound; a dog vomiting once with normal vital signs;
and a cat with a healed incision that needs suture removal. Which patient receives priority attention
FIRST?
A. The dog with a bleeding toenail
B. The cat in respiratory arrest [CORRECT]
C. The dog vomiting once with normal vital signs
D. The hamster with a minor bite wound
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Triage sorts patients by urgency, not by arrival order; arrest, apnea, or severe dyspnea is always the
highest priority. A bleeding toenail, a single episode of vomiting with normal vitals, and minor wounds are
lower-priority problems.
Q3: The "ABCs" in the emergency primary survey stand for:
A. Auscultation, blood pressure, capillary refill
B. Airway, breathing, circulation [CORRECT]
C. Alertness, body temperature, consciousness
D. Airway, blood gases, chest compressions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary survey checks airway patency, breathing effort and efficacy, and circulation (heart rate,
pulse quality, mucous membrane color, capillary refill time). Options A and D mix in elements of the secondary
survey or CPR algorithm.
Q4: During triage, a stable, non-urgent patient with a minor problem is classified as:
A. Critical
B. Emergent
C. Urgent
D. Non-urgent [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A non-urgent patient has no immediate threat to life or limb and can wait. Critical (or emergent) and
urgent categories need immediate or rapid intervention, respectively.
Page 3 of 45
, Q5: A dog is presented after being hit by a car. The dog is alert, has pink mucous membranes, and
a palpable femoral pulse. Which triage classification is most appropriate?
A. Critical — immediate intervention required
B. Emergent — needs treatment within minutes
C. Urgent — needs treatment soon, but is stable [CORRECT]
D. Non-urgent — can wait for routine care
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The dog is cardiovascularly stable and alert, but trauma patients can decompensate quickly, so it
should be treated as urgent and monitored closely. Critical/emergent categories are reserved for unstable or
rapidly deteriorating patients.
Q6: Which parameter is the most sensitive EARLY indicator of poor perfusion during the initial
assessment of a shocked patient?
A. Heart rate and pulse quality [CORRECT]
B. Rectal temperature
C. Body weight
D. Packed cell volume
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tachycardia with weak or absent peripheral pulses is one of the earliest signs of compensatory shock.
Temperature, PCV, and body weight are useful but are not early perfusion indicators.
Q7: A recumbent dog is presented with no detectable heartbeat or respiratory effort. The
veterinarian instructs the technician to begin CPR. The technician should FIRST:
A. Start chest compressions immediately and begin ventilation in a 30:2 cycle [CORRECT]
B. Place an IV catheter and administer epinephrine
C. Auscultate for 60 seconds to confirm arrest
D. Obtain a blood gas sample before starting compressions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In witnessed or confirmed arrest, chest compressions should begin immediately; interruptions must be
minimized. Any delay for catheters, auscultation, or blood sampling wastes critical perfusion time.
Q8: Which statement about handling the triage process in a busy emergency room is TRUE?
A. Patients are always examined in the order they arrive
B. The owner's report is the most reliable measure of the pet's stability
C. Triage should be repeated after the initial evaluation if the patient is waiting [CORRECT]
D. Only the veterinarian is qualified to perform triage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patients in the waiting area can deteriorate, so vital parameters and triage category must be
reassessed periodically. Arrival order is irrelevant, and triage is a team skill that includes trained technicians.
Q9: An unvaccinated puppy is presented after a witnessed ingestion of a rodenticide. The puppy is
bright, alert, and responsive, with normal vital signs. Triage places this patient in which category?
A. Critical
B. Emergent [CORRECT]
C. Urgent
D. Non-urgent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toxicant ingestion is time-sensitive: decontamination and treatment are most effective early, before
clinical signs develop. The patient is stable now but requires intervention within minutes, so it is emergent rather
than urgent or non-urgent.
Page 4 of 45
EMERGENCY & CRITICAL CARE
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 EDITION
200 questions · 10 content sections · 4-option multiple choice with rationales
Aligned with the current AAVSB VTNE test plan — Emergency & Critical Care domain — and
evidence-based ECC practice (triage, shock & fluid therapy, CPR, respiratory, neurologic, trauma,
toxicology, procedures, special species & ocular emergencies, integrated scenarios).
Cognitive level mix: 30% recall (definitions, normal values, drug facts) · 50% application (priority
interventions, drug and fluid choices, procedures) · 20% analysis (interpreting emergencies, differentiating
shock types, critical decisions). Question style: 75% scenario-based, 25% direct knowledge.
HOW TO USE THIS EXAM
Work through each section in order and record your answers on a separate sheet. Each question is followed
immediately by the correct answer and a brief rationale, so cover the answer line with a card while
answering, then reveal it to self-grade. Aim to complete the 200 questions in timed blocks and review every
rationale — especially the ones you answered incorrectly.
Page 1 of 45
,EXAM STRUCTURE AT A GLANCE
# Section Questions
1 Section 1 — TRIAGE & INITIAL PATIENT ASSESSMENT — TRIAGE, PRIMARY
Q1–Q25
SURVEY,
(25) STABILIZATION
2 Section 2 — SHOCK & FLUID THERAPY — SHOCK TYPES, FLUID CHOICES,
Q26–Q55
CVP, MONITORING
(30)
3 Section 3 — CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION — CPR RATES, DRUG
Q56–Q80
ROUTES,(25)
INTUBATION, POST-ARRES
4 Section 4 — RESPIRATORY EMERGENCIES — PNEUMOTHORAX, AIRWAY
Q81–Q105
OBSTRUCTION,
(25) OXYGEN THERAPY
5 Section 5 — NEUROLOGIC EMERGENCIES — STATUS EPILEPTICUS, HEAD
Q106–Q120
TRAUMA, (15)
SPINAL EMERGENCIES
6 Section 6 — TRAUMATIC & SURGICAL EMERGENCIES — WOUND HEALING,
Q121–Q140
GDV, TRAUMA
(20)
7 Section 7 — TOXICOLOGIC & METABOLIC EMERGENCIES — EMESIS CONTRAINDICATIONS,
Q141–Q160 (20) KETOACIDOSIS, TO
8 Section 8 — EMERGENCY PROCEDURES & TECHNIQUES — ABDOMINOCENTESIS,
Q161–Q180IO(20)
CATHETERS, C-SECTION
9 Section 9 — SPECIAL SPECIES & OCULAR EMERGENCIES — AVIAN/EXOTIC,
Q181–Q190
PROPTOSIS,
(10) PARAPHIMOSIS
10 Section 10 — INTEGRATED CLINICAL SCENARIOS — COMPLEX EMERGENCY
Q191–Q200
CASES (10)
Total questions verified: 200
Page 2 of 45
,SECTION 1: TRIAGE & INITIAL PATIENT ASSESSMENT — TRIAGE,
PRIMARY SURVEY, STABILIZATION (25 QUESTIONS)
Q1: The emergency technician's PRIMARY goal during the first 60 seconds after a critical patient
arrives is to:
A. Obtain a complete signalment and vaccination history from the owner
B. Complete a full physical examination and record baseline vitals
C. Perform the primary survey (ABCs and perfusion assessment) and identify life-threatening problems
[CORRECT]
D. Place an intravenous catheter and collect blood for a minimum database
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The primary survey — airway, breathing, circulation, mentation, and perfusion — identifies
immediately life-threatening abnormalities so stabilization can begin. History and diagnostics are deferred until the
patient is stable.
Q2: A clinic receives five patients at the same time: a cat in respiratory arrest; a dog with a
bleeding toenail; a hamster with a minor bite wound; a dog vomiting once with normal vital signs;
and a cat with a healed incision that needs suture removal. Which patient receives priority attention
FIRST?
A. The dog with a bleeding toenail
B. The cat in respiratory arrest [CORRECT]
C. The dog vomiting once with normal vital signs
D. The hamster with a minor bite wound
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Triage sorts patients by urgency, not by arrival order; arrest, apnea, or severe dyspnea is always the
highest priority. A bleeding toenail, a single episode of vomiting with normal vitals, and minor wounds are
lower-priority problems.
Q3: The "ABCs" in the emergency primary survey stand for:
A. Auscultation, blood pressure, capillary refill
B. Airway, breathing, circulation [CORRECT]
C. Alertness, body temperature, consciousness
D. Airway, blood gases, chest compressions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary survey checks airway patency, breathing effort and efficacy, and circulation (heart rate,
pulse quality, mucous membrane color, capillary refill time). Options A and D mix in elements of the secondary
survey or CPR algorithm.
Q4: During triage, a stable, non-urgent patient with a minor problem is classified as:
A. Critical
B. Emergent
C. Urgent
D. Non-urgent [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A non-urgent patient has no immediate threat to life or limb and can wait. Critical (or emergent) and
urgent categories need immediate or rapid intervention, respectively.
Page 3 of 45
, Q5: A dog is presented after being hit by a car. The dog is alert, has pink mucous membranes, and
a palpable femoral pulse. Which triage classification is most appropriate?
A. Critical — immediate intervention required
B. Emergent — needs treatment within minutes
C. Urgent — needs treatment soon, but is stable [CORRECT]
D. Non-urgent — can wait for routine care
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The dog is cardiovascularly stable and alert, but trauma patients can decompensate quickly, so it
should be treated as urgent and monitored closely. Critical/emergent categories are reserved for unstable or
rapidly deteriorating patients.
Q6: Which parameter is the most sensitive EARLY indicator of poor perfusion during the initial
assessment of a shocked patient?
A. Heart rate and pulse quality [CORRECT]
B. Rectal temperature
C. Body weight
D. Packed cell volume
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tachycardia with weak or absent peripheral pulses is one of the earliest signs of compensatory shock.
Temperature, PCV, and body weight are useful but are not early perfusion indicators.
Q7: A recumbent dog is presented with no detectable heartbeat or respiratory effort. The
veterinarian instructs the technician to begin CPR. The technician should FIRST:
A. Start chest compressions immediately and begin ventilation in a 30:2 cycle [CORRECT]
B. Place an IV catheter and administer epinephrine
C. Auscultate for 60 seconds to confirm arrest
D. Obtain a blood gas sample before starting compressions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In witnessed or confirmed arrest, chest compressions should begin immediately; interruptions must be
minimized. Any delay for catheters, auscultation, or blood sampling wastes critical perfusion time.
Q8: Which statement about handling the triage process in a busy emergency room is TRUE?
A. Patients are always examined in the order they arrive
B. The owner's report is the most reliable measure of the pet's stability
C. Triage should be repeated after the initial evaluation if the patient is waiting [CORRECT]
D. Only the veterinarian is qualified to perform triage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patients in the waiting area can deteriorate, so vital parameters and triage category must be
reassessed periodically. Arrival order is irrelevant, and triage is a team skill that includes trained technicians.
Q9: An unvaccinated puppy is presented after a witnessed ingestion of a rodenticide. The puppy is
bright, alert, and responsive, with normal vital signs. Triage places this patient in which category?
A. Critical
B. Emergent [CORRECT]
C. Urgent
D. Non-urgent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Toxicant ingestion is time-sensitive: decontamination and treatment are most effective early, before
clinical signs develop. The patient is stable now but requires intervention within minutes, so it is emergent rather
than urgent or non-urgent.
Page 4 of 45
