Alabama LVT study guide
Alabama LVT · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Alabama Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) credential is the state-level license that allows a technician to practice veterinary technology under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian in Alabama. It is intended for graduates of accredited veterinary technology programs and for other candidates who meet the state board's requirements, and it signals to employers and clients that the holder has demonstrated entry-level competence across the full range of clinical support duties. The Alabama LVT study guide has 11 sections and about 2,608 words.
01Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Candidates must know drug classes, mechanisms, common veterinary formulations, routes, and the vocabulary of dosing (mg/kg, mg/m², concentration vs. Understand pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) and how species differences change it - cats are poor glucuronidators, so acetaminophen and many NSAIDs are toxic; horses and ruminants differ in oral bioavailability.
278 words, about 1 min02Surgical Nursing and Anesthesia
Understand the anesthesia triad - unconsciousness, analgesia, and muscle relaxation - and the stages/planes of anesthesia. Know premedication rationale (sedation, analgesia, reducing induction dose), induction agents (propofol, ketamine, alfaxalone), and maintenance (inhalant vs.
261 words, about 1 min03Dentistry
Candidates must know dental anatomy - the tooth structure (enamel, dentin, pulp, cementum), dental formulas, and the numbering systems (modified Triadan). Understand periodontal disease stages (gingivitis vs.
253 words, about 1 min04Laboratory Procedures and Diagnostics
Understand sample collection, handling, and the effect of preanalytical errors (hemolysis, lipemia, delayed processing, wrong tube). Know common tests: CBC (RBC, WBC, platelets, PCV/TS), chemistry panels (BUN, creatinine, ALT, ALP, glucose, electrolytes), urinalysis (specific gravity, dipstick, sediment), and cytology.
240 words, about 1 min05Diagnostic Imaging
Candidates must understand radiographic principles: X-ray production, attenuation (bone white, air black, fat and soft tissue gray), and the five radiographic opacities (air, fat, soft tissue/fluid, bone/mineral, metal). Know positioning and the two orthogonal views rule, radiation safety (ALARA, collimation, PPE, dosimetry badges), and film/sensor handling.
249 words, about 1 min06Animal Nursing and Patient Care
Understand the nursing process: assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Know vital sign parameters and how to obtain them (temperature, pulse, respiration, CRT, mucous membrane color, hydration assessment, pain scoring).
224 words, about 1 min07Emergency and Critical Care
Understand triage and the primary survey (ABC: airway, breathing, circulation), shock recognition and fluid resuscitation, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) principles including compressions, ventilation, and drug administration routes. Know common emergencies: hemorrhage, GDV, toxin exposure, anaphylaxis, seizures, and heatstroke.
231 words, about 1 min08Animal Husbandry, Behavior, and Handling
Understand species-specific handling and restraint (dogs, cats, horses, cattle, small mammals, birds, reptiles), including minimal-restraint and low-stress techniques. Know basic husbandry: housing, nutrition, enrichment, and social needs.
210 words, about 1 min09Veterinary Practice Management and Client Communication
Understand practice operations: appointment scheduling, medical record-keeping, inventory and controlled-substance logs, and billing. Know client communication principles - empathy, active listening, clear explanation, informed consent, and discussing costs and estimates.
219 words, about 1 min10Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology
Understand body systems: skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, nervous, and integumentary. Know directional terminology (cranial, caudal, dorsal, ventral, proximal, distal, medial, lateral) and body planes.
206 words, about 1 min11Regulatory, Legal, and Ethical Practice
Understand the veterinary practice act, scope of practice, and delegation rules for technicians. Know the VCPR requirements, record-keeping and retention, controlled-substance regulations (DEA, logs, secure storage), and reporting obligations (e.g., suspected abuse, zoonotic disease).
237 words, about 1 min