ACVAA study plan

ACVAA · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Veterinary Anesthesia

Map the full Veterinary Anesthesia domain into subtopics and rate personal confidence 1-5 for each
Explain the pharmacokinetics of the major injectable induction agents (propofol, alfaxalone, ketamine, etomidate) from memory
List preanesthetic patient assessment parameters and classify ASA physical status for 10 sample case descriptions
Draw a labeled anesthesia machine circuit diagram including the breathing systems and scavenging pathway

One-page anesthesia subtopic confidence map plus a 10-case ASA classification worksheet

Week 2

Compare inhalation agents (isoflurane, sevoflurane, desflurane, nitrous oxide) on MAC, blood solubility, and organ effects
Describe how to check and leak-test an anesthesia machine before use
Interpret capnography waveforms for common abnormalities
Calculate fresh gas flow requirements for rebreathing versus non-rebreathing systems

A comparison table of inhalation agents plus 8 worked fresh-gas-flow calculations

Week 3

Explain monitoring of depth of anesthesia using clinical signs and instrumented monitors
Describe management of common intraoperative complications (hypotension, hypoxemia, hypercapnia, arrhythmias)
Outline cardiopulmonary resuscitation sequence and drug dosing for the anesthetized patient
Identify equipment and monitoring standards for safe anesthesia in small and large animals

A written complication-management algorithm for hypotension and hypoxemia

Week 4

Review the Perioperative Analgesia and Pain Management domain and rate confidence on each subtopic
Describe pain pathways from transduction to perception and identify where analgesic classes act
Explain multimodal analgesia rationale and give three example combinations
Summarize the pharmacology of opioids, NSAIDs, and local anesthetics

A pain pathway diagram with drug classes mapped to each target site

Week 5

Compare opioid agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists with species-specific considerations
Explain NSAID mechanism, COX selectivity, and contraindications
Describe local anesthetic techniques and toxicity management
Develop an analgesic plan for three surgical scenarios (soft tissue, orthopedic, dental)

Three completed written analgesic plans with drug, dose rationale, and monitoring

Week 6

Describe validated pain assessment tools for dogs, cats, and large animals
Explain chronic pain management principles and adjunctive modalities (gabapentinoids, ketamine CRI, physical therapy)
Outline recognition and management of neuropathic and wind-up pain
Integrate preemptive and balanced analgesia into perioperative protocols

A pain scoring and monitoring protocol for one species with a chronic pain algorithm

Week 7

Work through integrated case scenarios combining anesthesia and analgesia decisions
Identify knowledge gaps from weeks 1-6 and target the weakest subtopics
Practice timed question sets under exam conditions
Explain drug interactions and contraindications across anesthesia and analgesia classes

A gap-closure log listing weak subtopics with corrected notes for each

Week 8

A completed rapid-review sheet plus a scored practice exam log

Week 2: Score 80% or higher on a self-made 25-question anesthesia fundamentals quiz

Week 4: Complete the pain pathway diagram and pass a 20-question mixed domain quiz at 75% or higher

Week 6: Deliver all three analgesic plans and the pain monitoring protocol with self-assessed completeness

Week 8: Achieve 80% or higher on a full-length timed practice exam and complete the rapid-review sheet