MA Vet Tech key terms

The study of how a drug moves through the body over time, covering absorption into the bloodstream, distribution to tissues, metabolism by organs such as the liver, and elimination through urine, bile, or breath.

The study of what a drug does to the body, including the receptor interactions, cellular effects, and dose-response relationships that produce both the intended therapeutic action and unwanted side effects.

The time required for the concentration of a drug in the body to decrease by half. It guides dosing intervals and predicts how long a drug remains active or detectable after the last dose.

The loss of an orally administered drug as it passes through the intestinal wall and liver before reaching general circulation, which often makes oral doses larger than intravenous doses for the same effect.

The proportion of an administered dose that reaches the systemic circulation in an active form, expressed as a percentage. Intravenous drugs are by definition fully bioavailable, while oral drugs are usually lower.

The ratio between a drug's toxic dose and its effective dose. A narrow index means the safe and dangerous ranges sit close together, so the patient needs careful monitoring and precise dosing.

The point at which drug intake and elimination balance, keeping blood levels relatively constant. It is generally reached after about four to five half-lives of repeated dosing at fixed intervals.

A running record of every receipt, administration, waste, and disposal of a federally scheduled drug. Entries must be contemporaneous, legible, and reconcilable, because discrepancies are a legal and licensing concern.

The legally required interval between the last dose of a drug given to a food-producing animal and the time its milk, eggs, or meat may enter the human food supply.

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

Any harmful or unintended response following administration of a drug, ranging from mild vomiting to anaphylaxis. Suspected events should be documented and reported so the team can adjust future treatment.

A severe, rapidly developing, often life-threatening allergic reaction that can include hypotension, bronchoconstriction, facial swelling, and collapse. It demands immediate epinephrine, fluids, and airway support.

A set of practices that keep instruments, supplies, and the surgical field free of microorganisms, including sterile gowns and gloves, sterile drapes, and careful movement around the table.

The timed, systematic washing of hands and forearms with an antiseptic agent before donning a sterile gown and gloves, performed to reduce resident and transient skin microbes to the lowest practical level.

The area of draped patient and sterile supplies that may be touched only by sterile-gloved personnel or sterile instruments. Anything contacting a non-sterile surface is considered contaminated.

A method of ligating a large vessel by placing three hemostats side by side, ligating between the outer clamps, and transecting between the two central ties to leave secure ligatures on each side.

The stopping of bleeding through clot formation and vessel constriction, or the surgical methods used to achieve it, such as pressure, ligation, cautery, and hemostatic agents.

A thread or strand of suture material tied around a vessel or duct to occlude it. It may be placed alone or as part of a clamp-and-tie method during surgery.

Progressive 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 a major source of pain and systemic effects.

The measured distance from the gingival margin to the base of the gingival sulcus, obtained with a calibrated periodontal probe. Values above the normal range suggest attachment loss and pocket formation.

Professional cleaning of the teeth above and below the gumline under general anesthesia, including scaling, polishing, and charting, followed by home care to slow plaque and calculus recurrence.

A panel that quantifies red cells, white cells, and platelets, often with indices and a differential. It helps identify anemia, inflammation, infection, and bone marrow or platelet disorders.

The percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells after centrifugation. It is a rapid bedside measure of anemia or dehydration and is often paired with total protein.

A group of serum tests measuring substances such as glucose, creatinine, urea nitrogen, electrolytes, and liver enzymes. Results guide diagnosis, anesthesia planning, and monitoring of organ function.

The thin layer between red cells and plasma after centrifugation, containing white blood cells and platelets. Examining it can reveal organisms such as microfilariae or help estimate cell layers.

Selecting an inflatable cuff whose width is roughly 40 percent of the limb circumference. A cuff too narrow falsely raises readings and one too wide falsely lowers them.

An indirect method using an ultrasonic probe over an artery to detect blood flow while a cuff is deflated, yielding systolic pressure at the return of audible flow.

An automated indirect method in which a cuff detects pressure oscillations in the artery to calculate systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures. It is convenient but less reliable in small or moving patients.

Continuous measurement and display of carbon dioxide in exhaled gas. The waveform confirms tube placement, reflects ventilation and perfusion, and can detect esophageal intubation or circuit problems.

A noninvasive method using light absorption to estimate arterial oxygen saturation and pulse rate. Signal quality depends on good probe placement and adequate perfusion at the site.

The ongoing assessment of depth of anesthesia, vital signs, oxygenation, ventilation, and perfusion throughout a procedure, with documented values that allow early detection and correction of problems.

Placement of a cuffed tube through the mouth and larynx into the trachea to maintain an open airway, deliver oxygen and anesthetic gas, and prevent aspiration during anesthesia.

Rapid sorting of incoming patients by urgency so that life-threatening problems are treated first, regardless of arrival order. It relies on brief airway, breathing, circulation, and neurologic assessment.

A state of inadequate tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery that can arise from blood loss, heart failure, sepsis, or obstruction. Signs include pale mucous membranes, tachycardia, and altered mentation.

A radiographic projection in which the x-ray beam travels from the patient's back to its belly, with the patient positioned on its sternum. It is a standard view for thoracic imaging.

Two radiographic projections of the same structure taken at right angles, such as lateral and dorsoventral or craniocaudal. Together they let the viewer localize a lesion in three dimensions.

The technique of placing a patient and directing the beam to produce accurate, well-centered images with proper collimation and minimal rotation, while keeping personnel exposure as low as reasonably achievable.

The professional relationship in which a veterinarian has assumed responsibility for a patient's care, has sufficient knowledge of the animal, and can provide follow-up, forming the legal basis for treatment and prescribing.

The client's voluntary agreement to a procedure or treatment after receiving an explanation of benefits, risks, alternatives, and costs. It is documented in the medical record before care proceeds.

The legal and clinical document of a patient's care, including history, findings, treatments, communications, and consent. Entries should be timely, objective, and permanent.

An infectious disease that can pass from animals to people, such as rabies, ringworm, or leptospirosis. Awareness guides client education and workplace safety practices.

Barriers such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection worn to reduce exposure to infectious agents, chemicals, and hazardous drugs. Selection depends on the task and the risk involved.