Case Studies Week 3 Exam Questions
Correct Answers New Update
The mass was on the lateral aspect of the right hind limb four inches distal to the stifle.
Diagram the location of the tumor on the dogs leg. Identify the bones comprising the
stifle joint. - Answer- distal femur, proximal tibia, patella, sesamoid
Identify the abdominal quadrant in which the spleen normally resides. Is the spleen
normally palpable in a healthy dog? - Answer- Spleen is normally cranial on left side.
No, not normally palpable
When is it common to be able to palpate the spleen (bc its enlarged)? - Answer- P
under anesthesia, splenetic tumor
Identify abnormal physical examination findings. - Answer- Elevated temp, tachycardia,
icterus, increase CRT, enlarge spleen, mass on hind limb, history of lethargy and
anorexia
Identify abnormal laboratory values. - Answer- ACT, PT, APT, PCV, TPP, platelet value
Identify technician evaluations that can be associated with the laboratory values. -
Answer- Hyperthermia, exercise intolerance, risk for infection, self-care deficit
Define icterus. - Answer- Yellowing of the skin/MM CAUSED BY accumulation of
bilirubin****
The veterinarian recommended a surgical punch biopsy of the mass. Explain the
purpose of a surgical biopsy. Describe the technique used to prepare a site for a punch
biopsy. - Answer- Surgical biopsies are submitted to an anatomic pathologist who will
perform microscopic examination of tissue. This examination brings insight into etiology
and prognosis of the tumor. Prep by clipping area, vacuum, and perform a standard 3
step surgical prep
The veterinarian intends to use a local line block instead of general anesthesia. You are
explaining how the dog will be prepared for the biopsy when the owner states "I fed the
dog this morning." Is this a concern? - Answer- Ideally all animals are withheld from
food prior to anesthesia to decrease risk of vomiting. However, use of local anesthetic
does not carry a high risk of vomiting and aspiration as we see with general anesthesia
After the veterinarian performed the biopsy, she handed the sample to you. How will
you prepare this sample for evaluation by the pathologist? - Answer- 1. Blot sample to
remove any excess blood
2. If making impression smears, do it before putting it in formalin
3. Place in 10% formalin.
, 4. Package per the laboratory instructions
The resultant biopsy site is bleeding excessively and the veterinarian considers using
an electrocautery unit to achieve hemostasis. Define hemostasis. Briefly explain the
mechanics of electrocautery. Identify the purpose for grounding a patient when using
the electrocautery units. - Answer- Stopping blood flow.
Electrocautery is a controlled electric current to burn or cauterize tissue. ***A ground is
a wire that transfers electric current from animal to the ground TO PREVENT BURNING
OF THE PATIENT. ****Often placed under heavy muscled areas.
Two simple interrupted sutures were required to adequately close the biopsy site. The
veterinarian has instructed the owner to return in seven days for suture removal. Please
describe the technique you will use to remove the sutures. - Answer- Forceps to grasp
one suture, pull knot away from skin and use suture scissors to cut on one side of the
knot and pull suture out
Examine photograph 5-14 then identify the scissors in the photograph. - Answer- A.
Wire cutting scissors
B. Mayo scissors
C. Suture scissors
D. Metzenbaum scissors
E. Bandage scissors
Your clinic uses cloth surgery gowns and drapes. You are repacking instruments and
preparing drapes and gowns for future surgeries. Explain how you will prepare (clean
and fold) the surgical gowns and drapes. - Answer- If you soak in cold water - helps
remove blood and hydrogen peroxide will take blood out. Drapes and gowns are folded
in a farfold accordion style.
Identify the risk factors associated with GDV in this case. Define volvulus, hypovolemic
shock. - Answer- Large breed dog with narrow, deep thoracic cavity; once daily feeding,
rapid ingestion of large volumes of food, exercising rigt after eating.
Volvulus = obstruction caused twisting of a portion of the intestines or stomach
Hypovolemic = a decreased volume of circulating blood in the body.
You are starting the anesthesia record for the animal. The veterinarian has assigned an
ASA status of Class IV. What is an ASA status? Explain the clinical significance of a
Class IV assignment. - Answer- The American Society of Anesthesiologists developed a
classification system which examines risk factors and assesses the potential for an
anesthetic incident to occur while under anesthesia.
A class 4 assignment means there is a significant anesthesia risk and the dog is
severely compromised by the disease.
The veterinarian has just entered the abdominal cavity through a ventral midline
incision. You notice the dog appears to be lightening up and is responsive to painful
stimuli. Please describe the actions that you will take to determine why the animal is
Correct Answers New Update
The mass was on the lateral aspect of the right hind limb four inches distal to the stifle.
Diagram the location of the tumor on the dogs leg. Identify the bones comprising the
stifle joint. - Answer- distal femur, proximal tibia, patella, sesamoid
Identify the abdominal quadrant in which the spleen normally resides. Is the spleen
normally palpable in a healthy dog? - Answer- Spleen is normally cranial on left side.
No, not normally palpable
When is it common to be able to palpate the spleen (bc its enlarged)? - Answer- P
under anesthesia, splenetic tumor
Identify abnormal physical examination findings. - Answer- Elevated temp, tachycardia,
icterus, increase CRT, enlarge spleen, mass on hind limb, history of lethargy and
anorexia
Identify abnormal laboratory values. - Answer- ACT, PT, APT, PCV, TPP, platelet value
Identify technician evaluations that can be associated with the laboratory values. -
Answer- Hyperthermia, exercise intolerance, risk for infection, self-care deficit
Define icterus. - Answer- Yellowing of the skin/MM CAUSED BY accumulation of
bilirubin****
The veterinarian recommended a surgical punch biopsy of the mass. Explain the
purpose of a surgical biopsy. Describe the technique used to prepare a site for a punch
biopsy. - Answer- Surgical biopsies are submitted to an anatomic pathologist who will
perform microscopic examination of tissue. This examination brings insight into etiology
and prognosis of the tumor. Prep by clipping area, vacuum, and perform a standard 3
step surgical prep
The veterinarian intends to use a local line block instead of general anesthesia. You are
explaining how the dog will be prepared for the biopsy when the owner states "I fed the
dog this morning." Is this a concern? - Answer- Ideally all animals are withheld from
food prior to anesthesia to decrease risk of vomiting. However, use of local anesthetic
does not carry a high risk of vomiting and aspiration as we see with general anesthesia
After the veterinarian performed the biopsy, she handed the sample to you. How will
you prepare this sample for evaluation by the pathologist? - Answer- 1. Blot sample to
remove any excess blood
2. If making impression smears, do it before putting it in formalin
3. Place in 10% formalin.
, 4. Package per the laboratory instructions
The resultant biopsy site is bleeding excessively and the veterinarian considers using
an electrocautery unit to achieve hemostasis. Define hemostasis. Briefly explain the
mechanics of electrocautery. Identify the purpose for grounding a patient when using
the electrocautery units. - Answer- Stopping blood flow.
Electrocautery is a controlled electric current to burn or cauterize tissue. ***A ground is
a wire that transfers electric current from animal to the ground TO PREVENT BURNING
OF THE PATIENT. ****Often placed under heavy muscled areas.
Two simple interrupted sutures were required to adequately close the biopsy site. The
veterinarian has instructed the owner to return in seven days for suture removal. Please
describe the technique you will use to remove the sutures. - Answer- Forceps to grasp
one suture, pull knot away from skin and use suture scissors to cut on one side of the
knot and pull suture out
Examine photograph 5-14 then identify the scissors in the photograph. - Answer- A.
Wire cutting scissors
B. Mayo scissors
C. Suture scissors
D. Metzenbaum scissors
E. Bandage scissors
Your clinic uses cloth surgery gowns and drapes. You are repacking instruments and
preparing drapes and gowns for future surgeries. Explain how you will prepare (clean
and fold) the surgical gowns and drapes. - Answer- If you soak in cold water - helps
remove blood and hydrogen peroxide will take blood out. Drapes and gowns are folded
in a farfold accordion style.
Identify the risk factors associated with GDV in this case. Define volvulus, hypovolemic
shock. - Answer- Large breed dog with narrow, deep thoracic cavity; once daily feeding,
rapid ingestion of large volumes of food, exercising rigt after eating.
Volvulus = obstruction caused twisting of a portion of the intestines or stomach
Hypovolemic = a decreased volume of circulating blood in the body.
You are starting the anesthesia record for the animal. The veterinarian has assigned an
ASA status of Class IV. What is an ASA status? Explain the clinical significance of a
Class IV assignment. - Answer- The American Society of Anesthesiologists developed a
classification system which examines risk factors and assesses the potential for an
anesthetic incident to occur while under anesthesia.
A class 4 assignment means there is a significant anesthesia risk and the dog is
severely compromised by the disease.
The veterinarian has just entered the abdominal cavity through a ventral midline
incision. You notice the dog appears to be lightening up and is responsive to painful
stimuli. Please describe the actions that you will take to determine why the animal is
