AAVSB PAVE FOR VETERINARIANS QSE - QUALIFYING SCIENCE EXAMINATION QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
SOLUTIONS JUST RELEASED THIS YEAR………
Core Domains:
Anatomy and Physiology
Pathology and Pathophysiology
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Microbiology and Immunology
Parasitology
Clinical Pathology and Diagnostic Imaging
Surgery, Anesthesia, and Pain Management
Internal Medicine and Preventive Care
Epidemiology and Public Health
Professional Ethics and Legal Standards
Introduction:
This comprehensive practice examination is designed to assess the foundational and applied scientific knowledge
required for success on the AAVSB PAVE Qualifying Science Examination. It evaluates a candidate's grasp of core
veterinary principles, including normal structure and function, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, and
diagnostic methodologies. The examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, many of which are
presented in a scenario-based format that tests critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills. Emphasis is
placed on the application of scientific knowledge to real-world clinical situations, ethical considerations, and
regulatory compliance to ensure the highest standards of patient care and public safety.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A 5-year-old, neutered male domestic shorthair cat presents with acute onset of anorexia, vomiting, and
lethargy. On physical examination, the cat is icteric and painful on cranial abdominal palpation. Which of the
following diagnostic tests is most specific and immediately useful for confirming the most likely diagnosis?
A. Serum total bilirubin concentration
B. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) testing
C. Serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI)
D. Abdominal radiographs
🟢 C. Serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI)
🔴 RATIONALE: The clinical signs of vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, and cranial abdominal pain, along with icterus,
are highly suggestive of acute pancreatitis in cats. While a definitive diagnosis can be challenging, serum fPLI is
the most specific and sensitive test for feline pancreatitis. Elevated total bilirubin indicates cholestasis but is not
specific. FeLV/FIV testing is important for general health but is not specific to the acute presentation.
Radiographs are insensitive for diagnosing pancreatitis.
2. A 2-year-old female spayed Golden Retriever is presented for a routine wellness examination. On
auscultation, a grade III/VI systolic heart murmur is heard best over the left heart base. The dog is asymptomatic
and has a normal resting heart rate and respiratory rate. Which of the following is the most appropriate next
step?
A. Thoracic radiographs
B. Echocardiography
,C. Electrocardiography (ECG)
D. Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) assay
🟢 B. Echocardiography
🔴 RATIONALE: A grade III/VI systolic murmur in a young, large-breed dog is often associated with subaortic
stenosis, a common congenital defect. Echocardiography is the definitive diagnostic tool to evaluate the cardiac
structure, assess for the presence of stenosis, and measure pressure gradients. Thoracic radiographs are useful
for evaluating pulmonary vessels and cardiac silhouette but are not definitive for the type of murmur. An ECG
assesses rhythm, not structural disease. ProBNP is a marker of myocardial stretch but is not specific for the
cause of the murmur.
3. A 7-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat is presented with a history of polyuria, polydipsia, and
weight loss over the past month. Serum biochemistry reveals a blood glucose concentration of 320 mg/dL.
Urinalysis reveals glucosuria and a specific gravity of 1.035. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Hyperthyroidism
C. Chronic kidney disease
D. Diabetes insipidus
🟢 A. Diabetes mellitus
🔴 RATIONALE: The classic clinical triad of polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss, combined with persistent
hyperglycemia (greater than 250-300 mg/dL) and glucosuria, is characteristic of diabetes mellitus. The
hypersthenuria (specific gravity >1.030) is not consistent with diabetes insipidus or chronic kidney disease
, (which typically results in isosthenuria). Hyperthyroidism commonly presents with weight loss and polyphagia
but is not typically associated with this degree of hyperglycemia and glucosuria.
4. A cow in a dairy herd is recumbent and unable to rise 24 hours after parturition. On examination, the cow is
alert but weak, and her body temperature is 38.0°C. Which of the following is the most likely electrolyte
abnormality?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyperphosphatemia
🟢 B. Hypocalcemia
🔴 RATIONALE: Recumbency in a recently calved dairy cow is a classic presentation of parturient paresis (milk
fever), caused by acute hypocalcemia. The sudden onset of lactation leads to a massive demand for calcium,
overwhelming the cow's ability to mobilize it, resulting in muscle weakness and recumbency. The clinical signs
and history are not consistent with the other electrolyte abnormalities.
5. A 6-month-old intact male puppy presents with a sudden onset of non-productive retching and progressive
abdominal distension. On physical examination, the puppy is restless, and the abdomen is tympanic. Which of
the following is the most important immediate therapeutic intervention?
A. Administration of activated charcoal
B. Performing a gastrotomy
C. Passing a stomach tube
D. Administration of intravenous fluids
SOLUTIONS JUST RELEASED THIS YEAR………
Core Domains:
Anatomy and Physiology
Pathology and Pathophysiology
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Microbiology and Immunology
Parasitology
Clinical Pathology and Diagnostic Imaging
Surgery, Anesthesia, and Pain Management
Internal Medicine and Preventive Care
Epidemiology and Public Health
Professional Ethics and Legal Standards
Introduction:
This comprehensive practice examination is designed to assess the foundational and applied scientific knowledge
required for success on the AAVSB PAVE Qualifying Science Examination. It evaluates a candidate's grasp of core
veterinary principles, including normal structure and function, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, and
diagnostic methodologies. The examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, many of which are
presented in a scenario-based format that tests critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills. Emphasis is
placed on the application of scientific knowledge to real-world clinical situations, ethical considerations, and
regulatory compliance to ensure the highest standards of patient care and public safety.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A 5-year-old, neutered male domestic shorthair cat presents with acute onset of anorexia, vomiting, and
lethargy. On physical examination, the cat is icteric and painful on cranial abdominal palpation. Which of the
following diagnostic tests is most specific and immediately useful for confirming the most likely diagnosis?
A. Serum total bilirubin concentration
B. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) testing
C. Serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI)
D. Abdominal radiographs
🟢 C. Serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI)
🔴 RATIONALE: The clinical signs of vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, and cranial abdominal pain, along with icterus,
are highly suggestive of acute pancreatitis in cats. While a definitive diagnosis can be challenging, serum fPLI is
the most specific and sensitive test for feline pancreatitis. Elevated total bilirubin indicates cholestasis but is not
specific. FeLV/FIV testing is important for general health but is not specific to the acute presentation.
Radiographs are insensitive for diagnosing pancreatitis.
2. A 2-year-old female spayed Golden Retriever is presented for a routine wellness examination. On
auscultation, a grade III/VI systolic heart murmur is heard best over the left heart base. The dog is asymptomatic
and has a normal resting heart rate and respiratory rate. Which of the following is the most appropriate next
step?
A. Thoracic radiographs
B. Echocardiography
,C. Electrocardiography (ECG)
D. Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) assay
🟢 B. Echocardiography
🔴 RATIONALE: A grade III/VI systolic murmur in a young, large-breed dog is often associated with subaortic
stenosis, a common congenital defect. Echocardiography is the definitive diagnostic tool to evaluate the cardiac
structure, assess for the presence of stenosis, and measure pressure gradients. Thoracic radiographs are useful
for evaluating pulmonary vessels and cardiac silhouette but are not definitive for the type of murmur. An ECG
assesses rhythm, not structural disease. ProBNP is a marker of myocardial stretch but is not specific for the
cause of the murmur.
3. A 7-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat is presented with a history of polyuria, polydipsia, and
weight loss over the past month. Serum biochemistry reveals a blood glucose concentration of 320 mg/dL.
Urinalysis reveals glucosuria and a specific gravity of 1.035. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Hyperthyroidism
C. Chronic kidney disease
D. Diabetes insipidus
🟢 A. Diabetes mellitus
🔴 RATIONALE: The classic clinical triad of polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss, combined with persistent
hyperglycemia (greater than 250-300 mg/dL) and glucosuria, is characteristic of diabetes mellitus. The
hypersthenuria (specific gravity >1.030) is not consistent with diabetes insipidus or chronic kidney disease
, (which typically results in isosthenuria). Hyperthyroidism commonly presents with weight loss and polyphagia
but is not typically associated with this degree of hyperglycemia and glucosuria.
4. A cow in a dairy herd is recumbent and unable to rise 24 hours after parturition. On examination, the cow is
alert but weak, and her body temperature is 38.0°C. Which of the following is the most likely electrolyte
abnormality?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyperphosphatemia
🟢 B. Hypocalcemia
🔴 RATIONALE: Recumbency in a recently calved dairy cow is a classic presentation of parturient paresis (milk
fever), caused by acute hypocalcemia. The sudden onset of lactation leads to a massive demand for calcium,
overwhelming the cow's ability to mobilize it, resulting in muscle weakness and recumbency. The clinical signs
and history are not consistent with the other electrolyte abnormalities.
5. A 6-month-old intact male puppy presents with a sudden onset of non-productive retching and progressive
abdominal distension. On physical examination, the puppy is restless, and the abdomen is tympanic. Which of
the following is the most important immediate therapeutic intervention?
A. Administration of activated charcoal
B. Performing a gastrotomy
C. Passing a stomach tube
D. Administration of intravenous fluids
