MA Vet Tech study plan

Build a one-page drug-class map covering the major veterinary classes (antibiotics, NSAIDs, opioids, anesthetics, antiparasitics, endocrine drugs), listing one prototype drug and its key monitoring parameter per class.

Calculate 20 dose problems by hand (mg/kg to mg, mg to mL, dilution and percentage solutions, CRI rates) and log every error with the reason it happened.

Recite the five rights of drug administration and list three routes with a species-specific caution for each.

Explain to a study partner, out loud, why a drug's withdrawal time and extra-label status matter for a food-animal client.

Organize a personal formulary of 40 drugs by class, including indication, common adverse effect, and one nursing monitoring point for each.

Demonstrate (on a model or mock patient) correct technique for SQ, IM, and IV injection and for oral medication administration in a cat and a dog.

Describe how to safely store and handle controlled substances, including log entries and waste/wastage documentation.

Identify client-education talking points for three common at-home medications (e.g., oral antibiotic, ophthalmic ointment, insulin).

Perform a full head-to-tail physical exam sequence on a live animal (or structured video review), narrating normal findings and what an abnormal finding would suggest.

Write nursing care plans for three scenarios: a recumbent patient, a patient with vomiting/diarrhea, and a postoperative patient.

List normal vital parameter ranges for dog, cat, and horse, and state which values trigger a call to the veterinarian.

Practice low-stress restraint and handling techniques and explain the fear-free rationale for each.

Assemble a surgical-nursing checklist covering patient prep, aseptic hand scrub, gowning and gloving, and instrument identification.

Identify 15 common surgical instruments by name and function from descriptions alone.

Describe the four phases of wound healing and match appropriate dressing types to each phase.

Outline the sequence of sterile field setup and explain three common breaks in aseptic technique and how to correct them.

Map the anesthesia machine components and describe the function of each, including the scavenging system and oxygen flush.

Calculate premedication and induction doses and describe monitoring of depth, blood pressure, and ventilation under anesthesia.

Build an emergency drug and crash-cart reference (epinephrine, atropine, fluids, reversal agents) with doses and indications.

Practice triage: rank 10 patient presentations by urgency and justify the order using a triage system.

Describe proper sample collection, handling, and storage for CBC, chemistry, urinalysis, and cytology, including common preanalytical errors.

Interpret five provided lab result sets (described in text) and state the likely cause and next step for each abnormality.

Explain the difference between a normal and abnormal urinalysis finding for protein, glucose, and sediment.

Outline the steps for a fecal flotation and a skin scraping and what each test detects.

Describe dental charting notation and the stages of periodontal disease, and list the equipment used for a dental prophylaxis.

Explain proper dental radiograph positioning and safety for the patient and team.

Identify the four standard radiographic views and describe how to evaluate image quality (positioning, exposure, artifact).

List radiation safety practices and the principles of ALARA for the veterinary team.

Practice three client communication scenarios (cost estimate discussion, bad news delivery, compliance coaching) and record what you would say differently.

Review state practice-act scope for veterinary technicians and list five tasks that require veterinarian supervision.

Complete a full-length timed practice exam or 150 mixed questions and review every missed item.

Revisit the weakest two domains from the practice exam and write a one-page correction summary.