California RVT flashcards

31 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Dose on hand formula

Amount to administer equals dose desired divided by dose on hand, multiplied by quantity on hand. This formula underlies most veterinary drug calculations and should be verified by a second person for high-risk drugs.

Percent solution to mg/mL

A percent solution multiplied by 10 gives mg/mL. For example, 2% lidocaine equals 20 mg/mL, and 5% dextrose equals 50 mg/mL. This conversion is essential for accurate drug and fluid dosing.

Schedule II refills

Schedule II controlled substances may not be refilled; a new prescription is required. Schedules III through V allow up to five refills within six months under federal law, though California rules may be stricter.

Cefazolin spectrum

Cefazolin is a first-generation cephalosporin with good gram-positive coverage, including staphylococci and streptococci. It is commonly used for surgical prophylaxis and does not reliably cover Pseudomonas or enterococci.

NSAID renal caution

NSAIDs reduce renal prostaglandin synthesis and can cause acute kidney injury in dehydrated, hypotensive, or volume-depleted patients. Avoid use in patients with pre-existing renal disease or concurrent nephrotoxic drugs.

Organophosphate antidote

Organophosphate and carbamate toxicity is treated with atropine to control muscarinic signs and pralidoxime for organophosphates. Atropine alone does not reverse nicotinic signs such as muscle fasciculations or weakness.

FARAD withdrawal guidance

FARAD provides withdrawal interval estimates for extra-label drug use in food animals. A valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship is required, and milk withdrawal may exceed meat withdrawal for the same drug.

Body surface area dosing

Dose in mg/m² multiplied by body surface area in m² gives the total dose. This method is used for chemotherapy and select drugs but not for routine antibiotic or analgesic dosing.

Aseptic skin scrub direction

Scrub begins at the incision site and moves outward in concentric circles. The sponge should not return to the center once the periphery has been touched, because that reintroduces contamination.

Hemostatic instrument function

Hemostats, including Kelly and Crile forceps, grasp and compress vessels to control bleeding. Kelly forceps have a transverse groove on the distal half of the jaws, while Crile forceps have full-length grooves.

Absorbable versus nonabsorbable suture

Absorbable sutures such as polydioxanone and polyglactin 910 are used for buried layers. Nonabsorbable sutures such as nylon and polypropylene are used for skin, where they are removed after healing.

Taper versus cutting needle

Taper needles are used for soft tissue and hollow organs because they separate rather than cut tissue. Cutting or reverse-cutting needles are used for skin, where they penetrate tough tissue more easily.

Surgical sponge count timing

Sponges and sharps are counted before incision, before closure begins, and again at skin closure. Counts are recorded on the surgical and anesthesia record, and discrepancies must be resolved before the patient leaves.

Wound healing phases

Hemostasis and inflammation occur in days zero through five. Proliferation and fibroplasia follow in days three through fourteen, and remodeling and maturation continue for weeks to months with increasing tensile strength.

Autoclave versus cold sterilization

Steam autoclaving under pressure sterilizes heat-stable instruments. Glutaraldehyde cold chemical sterilization is used for heat-sensitive items, while ethylene oxide is reserved for delicate equipment such as endoscopes.

Dehiscence signs

Wound dehiscence presents as swelling, discharge, gaping edges, or exposed tissue. Early recognition and prompt veterinary evaluation reduce the risk of evisceration and infection in postoperative patients.

ASA physical status

The American Society of Anesthesiologists classification ranges from I (healthy) to V (moribund). Higher status indicates greater anesthetic risk and guides drug selection, monitoring intensity, and client communication.

Anesthetic stage II

Stage II is the excitement phase marked by irregular breathing and possible vocalization. Intubation should be avoided during this stage; patients should be advanced quickly to stage III surgical anesthesia.

Propofol characteristics

Propofol is a rapid, smooth intravenous induction agent with no analgesic properties. It can cause apnea and hypotension, so it is titrated to effect with airway support and monitoring available.

Ketamine analgesia

Ketamine is a dissociative agent that provides somatic analgesia and is useful in combination protocols. It increases heart rate and blood pressure and should be used cautiously in patients with cardiac disease.

MAC definition

Minimum alveolar concentration is the inhalant concentration that prevents movement in 50% of patients in response to a standardized stimulus. Isoflurane MAC is about 1.3% in dogs and 1.6% in cats.

Capnography value

End-tidal CO2 approximates alveolar ventilation and normally ranges from 35 to 45 mmHg. Rising values suggest hypoventilation, while falling values may indicate hyperventilation, hypotension, or equipment disconnection.

Lidocaine maximum dose

Lidocaine maximum dose is approximately 4 to 6 mg/kg without epinephrine and up to 7 to 8 mg/kg with epinephrine in dogs. Cats are more sensitive to toxicity and require lower doses.

Multimodal analgesia

Multimodal analgesia combines agents acting at different points in the pain pathway, such as an opioid, an NSAID, and a local block. This approach improves pain control while reducing individual drug doses and side effects.

Permanent dog dental formula

The permanent dog dental formula is 2 times (I3/3, C1/1, P4/4, M2/3), totaling 42 teeth. Puppies have 28 deciduous teeth, and retained deciduous teeth can cause malocclusion.

Permanent cat dental formula

The permanent cat dental formula is 2 times (I3/3, C1/1, P3/2, M1/1), totaling 30 teeth. Cats lack the maxillary first premolar and mandibular first and second premolars seen in dogs.

Triadan quadrant numbering

In the modified Triadan system, the first digit indicates the quadrant: 1 upper right, 2 upper left, 3 lower left, and 4 lower right. The next two digits identify the tooth position.

Periodontal disease staging

Stage 1 is gingivitis. Stage 2 involves less than 25% attachment loss, stage 3 involves 25 to 50%, and stage 4 involves more than 50% with possible furcation exposure and tooth mobility.

Full-mouth radiography

A full-mouth series typically requires 10 to 14 intraoral views. It detects root resorption, bone loss, retained roots, and lesions not visible on oral examination, guiding treatment planning.

Pharyngeal pack purpose

A pharyngeal pack during dental procedures prevents debris, water, and extracted tooth fragments from being aspirated. A cuffed endotracheal tube is required, and the pack must be removed before recovery.

Tooth sectioning rationale

Multi-rooted teeth such as the maxillary fourth premolar and mandibular first molar are sectioned before extraction. Sectioning separates roots and reduces torque, decreasing the risk of root fracture and retained fragments.