California RVT key terms

The study of what the body does to a drug over time, covering absorption into the bloodstream, distribution to tissues, metabolism mainly by the liver, and excretion mainly by the kidneys.

The study of what a drug does to the body, including how it binds receptors, the strength of the response it produces, and the dose at which effects appear or become toxic.

The fraction of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation in active form. Intravenous drugs are essentially fully available, while oral drugs lose some to incomplete absorption and liver metabolism.

Loss of an orally administered drug as it passes through the intestinal wall and liver before reaching general circulation, which can greatly reduce the effective dose compared with intravenous dosing.

The time required for the blood concentration of a drug to decrease by half. It guides dosing intervals and predicts how long a drug lingers after the last dose.

The balance reached when drug elimination matches the rate of administration, so blood levels stay within a stable range. It is typically approached after about four to five half-lives of repeated dosing.

A larger initial dose given to reach therapeutic blood concentrations quickly rather than waiting several half-lives. It is often used in emergencies such as seizures or severe pain.

A ratio comparing the dose that causes toxicity with the dose that produces the desired effect. A narrow index means small dosing errors can cause harm, so monitoring is essential.

A drug that binds a receptor and activates it to produce a response. Full agonists trigger the maximum effect, while partial agonists produce a weaker response even at full receptor occupancy.

A drug that binds a receptor without activating it, blocking the effects of natural messengers or other drugs. Some antagonists are competitive and can be overcome by higher agonist doses.

Any harmful or unintended response to a medication given at a normal dose. Veterinary technicians should recognize, document, and report these events to the veterinarian promptly.

A change in a drug's effect caused by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can increase toxicity, reduce efficacy, or alter absorption and metabolism.

Chemical alteration of drugs by liver enzymes, usually making them more water soluble so the kidneys can excrete them. Liver disease can slow this process and prolong drug effects.

A required record tracking receipt, administration, and disposal of scheduled drugs. Entries must be accurate, contemporaneous, and reconciled regularly to account for every unit on hand.

A federal classification of controlled drugs from I to V based on accepted medical use and abuse potential. Schedule II drugs have high abuse potential and face the strictest handling and recordkeeping rules.

The legally required period between the last dose of a drug and slaughter or milk collection for human consumption, ensuring drug residues fall below permitted limits in food-producing animals.

Prescribing or administering an approved drug in a manner not described on its label, such as a different dose, species, or route. It requires a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship and careful documentation.

Practices that keep surgical sites, instruments, and hands free of pathogens, including sterile gowns and gloves, sterile drapes, and careful movement around the sterile field.

The area of draped patient and sterile supplies that may be touched only by sterile items or personnel in sterile attire. Anything contacting a nonsterile surface is considered contaminated.

A timed, systematic washing of hands and forearms with an antiseptic agent before donning sterile gown and gloves, reducing resident skin bacteria and the risk of contaminating the surgical wound.

An infection developing at or near an incision within days to weeks after surgery. Prevention relies on clipping hair rather than shaving, skin antisepsis, sterile technique, and avoiding hypothermia.

A method of ligating a vessel using three hemostats: two on the vessel to be kept and one on the segment to be cut, allowing secure double ligation without slippage.

A locking surgical instrument with serrated jaws used to grasp, clamp, and occlude blood vessels or hold tissue. It is also used to secure suture ends during ligation.

Suture material tied around a vessel or tissue to occlude it or hold it closed. It may be placed as a single strand or passed with a needle as a transfixing suture.

The geometric arrangement of stitches used to close a wound, such as simple interrupted, continuous, or cruciate, chosen based on tissue type, tension, and the need for strength or drainage.

Thread used to close tissue, classified as absorbable, which loses strength over time, or nonabsorbable, which must be removed or remains permanently. Choice depends on tissue and healing time.

Pulling force on a wound closure that can cause tissue ischemia and dehiscence. It is managed with appropriate suture size, pattern, and sometimes tension-relieving techniques.

Separation of a surgical wound along the incision line, often caused by tension, infection, or patient interference. It may expose deeper tissues and requires prompt veterinary assessment.

Assessment before anesthesia that includes history, physical examination, and often blood work and imaging. It identifies risks and guides drug selection and monitoring plans.

A five-level scale used to classify a patient's overall health and anesthetic risk before a procedure, from healthy to moribund. Higher classes prompt more intensive monitoring and altered drug choices.

The planned combination of premedication, induction, and maintenance drugs plus monitoring and support measures selected for an individual patient's needs and procedure.

Combining small doses of several drugs with different actions, such as sedatives, analgesics, and anesthetics, to achieve unconsciousness and pain control while minimizing side effects of any single agent.

Using two or more analgesic drugs or techniques that act at different points in the pain pathway, improving pain relief and allowing lower doses of each agent.

The nervous system's processing of a painful stimulus, from transduction in peripheral nerves through transmission to the spinal cord and perception in the brain. Anesthesia does not automatically block it.

Relief of pain without necessarily producing unconsciousness. It may be achieved with opioids, local anesthetics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or other agents and should be assessed with pain scales.

Continuous measurement of carbon dioxide in exhaled breath, displayed as a waveform. It confirms tube placement, reflects ventilation, and can signal low cardiac output or equipment problems.

Noninvasive estimate of arterial oxygen saturation using light absorbed by hemoglobin. It helps detect hypoxemia but can be inaccurate with poor perfusion, motion, or certain pigments.

Placement of a cuffed tube into the trachea to maintain an open airway and deliver oxygen or anesthetic gas. Correct placement is confirmed by chest auscultation and capnography.

The breathing system connecting the patient to the anesthesia machine, delivering gas and removing carbon dioxide. Rebreathing and nonrebreathing types differ in resistance and fresh gas flow needs.

Abnormally low oxygen content in arterial blood, which can cause tissue damage if prolonged. Monitoring detects it early so oxygen flow or ventilation can be adjusted.

A drug that counteracts the effects of another drug, such as an opioid antagonist used to restore breathing after opioid-induced respiratory depression. Reversal may also restore pain.

Inflammation and destruction of the tissues supporting the teeth, driven by plaque bacteria. It is the most common dental problem in dogs and cats and progresses from gingivitis to attachment loss.

Reversible inflammation of the gums, often seen as redness, swelling, and bleeding at the gumline. It is caused by plaque and can be resolved with professional cleaning and home care.

Measuring the depth of the gingival sulcus around each tooth with a calibrated probe to detect attachment loss and pockets. It is a core part of the anesthetized oral examination.

Removal of plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces, including above and below the gumline, usually with ultrasonic and hand instruments under anesthesia. Polishing follows to smooth the enamel.

Recording the condition of each tooth, including probing depths, mobility, fractures, and missing teeth, on a standardized form. It documents findings and guides the treatment plan.

Intraoral x-rays used to evaluate roots, bone loss, and structures hidden below the gumline. Full-mouth series are recommended because much disease is invisible on oral examination alone.