Certificate of Veterinary Nursing in Emergency & Critical Care
Sample question Paper – Paper 2
Cert VN ECC
Sample Question Paper - Questions only
Paper 2
Note: There are usually 6 questions for this paper to be complete within 90 minutes
1.
(12 marks)
A cat is diagnosed with ketoacidosis secondary to diabetes mellitus.
a) Define the term ketoacidosis.
(1 mark)
b) Describe the presenting clinical signs likely to be seen in this cat
(2 marks)
c) Name 2 biochemistry parameters that should be measured to monitor renal function in this
cat.
(1 mark)
d) Which ketone cannot be measured with a urine dipstick?
(1 mark)
e) What acid-base abnormality would you expect to see in this cat?
(1 mark)
f)
(1 mark)
The urine specific gravity is 1.010. What term is used to describe this result?
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Certificate of Veterinary Nursing in Emergency & Critical Care
Sample question Paper – Paper 2
g) Which type of insulin should be used to treat this cat?
(1 mark)
h) Hypophosphotaemia is common following aggressive insulin therapy. What haematological
abnormality can hypophosphotaemia lead to?
(1 mark)
i)
Why should supplemental phosphorous not be given with Hartmann’s?
j)
During therapy, the cat becomes hypoglycaemic. A dextrose bolus is given and dextrose
added to the cat’s fluids. What is the maximum percentage (%) of dextrose that can be
given through a peripheral IV catheter, and why?
(2 marks)
2.
(12 marks)
(1 mark)
A 4 year old male castrated cat is presented to your clinic with a blocked bladder (urethral
obstruction).
a) What is the most life-threatening electrolyte abnormality in this cat?
(1 mark)
b) What ECG abnormalities would you see with this electrolyte abnormality?
(2 marks)
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Certificate of Veterinary Nursing in Emergency & Critical Care
Sample question Paper – Paper 2
c) Name three treatments that could be used for this life-threatening electrolyte abnormality?
(3 marks)
d) What equipment would you get ready in preparation for unblocking this cat?
(3 marks)
e) Why may prazosin or phenoxybenzamine be useful in this case (once he is unblocked)?
(1 mark)
f) In a cat where an indwelling catheter is placed what four nursing care procedures would
you put in place to monitor this patient.
(2 marks)
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Certificate of Veterinary Nursing in Emergency & Critical Care
Sample question Paper – Paper 2
3.
(12 marks)
Wounds and exotics
Wounds.
a) What are bullous lesions and what condition might they be associated with?
(2 marks)
b) State the 5 stages of wound healing in order of event
(2 marks)
c) What is ‘strike through’ and what complication may arise if this occurs?
(1 mark)
d) Name two products including their dilution rate which would be suitable for flushing a wound?
(1 mark)
Exotics
a) Define the term ectothermic?
(1 mark)
b) Where do spurs most commonly form on rabbit’s teeth?
(1 mark)
c) Describe positioning and intubation of a spontaneous-breathing and non-breathing rabbit
(4 marks)
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Certificate of Veterinary Nursing in Emergency & Critical Care
Sample question Paper – Paper 2
4. (12 marks)
a) Define the following neurological terms:
Neurological term
Proprioception
(6 marks)
Definition
Schiff-Sherrington posture
Spasticity
Spinal reflex
Tetraparesis
Tonus
b) A dog is presented with a head tilt, circling, abnormal posture and balance and possible
vomiting. It is diagnosed as being ‘vestibular’. Which cranial nerve is affected? (1 mark)
c) Describe what you would expect to see when examining the eyes.
(2 marks)
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Certificate of Veterinary Nursing in Emergency & Critical Care
Sample question Paper – Paper 2
d) A dog has been hit by a car and brought into your clinic. What assessment can be made
from examination of the eyes to ascertain a possible brain injury?
(3 marks)
5.
(12 marks)
You have been presented with a cat following a road traffic accident. Its respiration remains
compromised. After oxygenation and analgesia and a negative thoracocentesis it is decided to
take a conscious radiograph. This shows the patient has a diaphragmatic rupture with
movement of intestines, liver and stomach in the thoracic cavity.
a) Why is immediate surgical repair required?
(2 marks)
b) Name 5 parameters that you would monitor on this patient during anaesthetic.(5 marks)
c) Give one reason for monitoring each of the above parameters you have mentioned
(5 marks)
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Certificate of Veterinary Nursing in Emergency & Critical Care
Sample question Paper – Paper 2
6.
(12 marks)
a) A bitch is presented for ingestion of a toxin. Name 3 contraindications for inducing
emesis in this dog.
(3 marks)
b) State the 3 acute (1-4 hours) clinical signs post ingestion of ethylene glycol? (3 marks)
c) What is the main cause of death in dogs/cats following ethylene glycol intoxication?
(1 mark)
d) What crystal may be found in the urine of an animal suffering from ethylene glycol
intoxication?
(1 mark)
e) Name 2 treatments for acute ethylene glycol intoxication
f)
(2 marks)
What blood parameters would be measured following ethylene glycol intoxication?
(2 marks)
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