Animal Nursing and Assisting VT296 VTNE Review Spring 2014 Animal Nursing and Assisting Veterinary Science Program

Objectives To know: What nursing care entails The role of various health-care team members

Vital Assessments Five vital assessments that should be monitored on every patient: Temperature Pulse Respiration Pain Nutrition

Temperature Core body temperature Should be monitored: Early sign of metabolic instability Should be monitored: On each hospital visit While the patient is hospitalized During surgery or anesthesia

Temperature Taken rectally Mercury thermometer Battery operated digital thermometer Electronic probe

Temperature Normal ranges: Dogs: 101oF – 102.5oF Cats: 100.5oF – 102.5oF Horse: 99oF – 101.5oF

Pulse Status of the cardiovascular system Palpation of an artery close to the surface of the body Femoral artery Dorsal pedal artery Abnormality in perfusion

Pulse A pulse deficit is a difference in the number of heartbeats and pulse beats

Pulse Animal type Minimum pulse rate Maximum pulse rate Adult dog 70 bpm 160 bpm Large breed 60 bpm 140 bpm Toy breed 180 bpm Puppy 220 bpm Adult cat 120 bpm 240 bpm Kitten Adult horse 32 bpm 40 bpm Neonatal foal 80 bpm

Pulse Normal Absent Weak Thready Bounding Irregular Dogs Two normal heart rhythms Normal sinus rhythm Sinus arrhythmia

Cardiac murmurs Turbulence that disturbs the normal flow of blood Dysfunctional valves Septal defects

Blood pressure Systolic 170 mmHg Diastolic 120 mmHg

Capillary Refill Time (CRT) Blood volume Circulatory status Indicator of perfusion Video

Respiration Tachypnea Hyperpnea Dyspnea Very rapid breathing Breathing that is deeper and more rapid than normal Dyspnea Respiratory difficulty or distress based on subjective observation

Respiration Depth of respiration Increased depth of respiration conveys a greater demand for oxygen Shallow respiration is indicative of metabolic issues or mechanical issues

Respiration Labored breathing Hyperventilation Breathing difficulty typically indicated through abdominal movements happening at the same time Hyperventilation Shallow, rapid respiration Severe metabolic acidosis and severe respiratory distress