NM Vet Tech cheat sheet

Bioavailability (F) = fraction of dose reaching systemic circulation unchanged; IV dose has F = 1 by definition.

Volume of distribution Vd = dose / plasma concentration at time zero; large Vd (>1 L/kg) implies extensive tissue distribution (e.g., lipophilic drugs).

Clearance CL = dose rate / steady-state concentration; half-life t½ ≈ 0.693 × Vd / CL.

Loading dose = (Vd × target concentration) / F; maintenance rate = CL × target concentration.

Drugs are eliminated by first-order kinetics in most cases: a constant fraction is removed per unit time; half-life is concentration-independent.

Zero-order (saturation) kinetics: a constant amount is eliminated per unit time (e.g., phenytoin, ethanol, high-dose aspirin in some species); small dose increases can cause large plasma increases.

Controlled substances require DEA registration, secure storage, and a log of receipt, use, and waste; ketamine and opioids are common examples in veterinary practice.

Common species-specific hazard: permethrin spot-ons are toxic to cats; acetaminophen and ibuprofen are toxic to both cats and dogs; xylazine is emetic in cats.

Surgical hand scrub: remove jewelry, clean under nails, scrub hands and forearms with chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine for the manufacturer-specified contact time (typically 3–5 minutes for first scrub).

Sterile gown and gloves: gown only after scrub; open glove technique is acceptable only for non-sterile exams; closed gloving is used for open procedures.

Patient prep: clip hair widely around the site, then perform alternate concentric scrubs from incision outward; never return to the incision with a contaminated swab.

Drape the patient so the incision site is centered; once placed, a drape is sterile only on the top surface and must not be repositioned after contacting non-sterile areas.

Common suture patterns: simple interrupted for skin, simple continuous for fascia, cruciate for tension-bearing skin, and purse-string for temporary closure of orifices.

Suture size convention: larger number = smaller diameter (e.g., 3-0 is larger than 5-0); absorbable examples include PDS (polydioxanone) and Vicryl (polyglactin 910).

Instrument identification: Mayo scissors for heavy tissue, Metzenbaum for delicate dissection, needle holders with ratchets, and hemostats (Kelly, Crile) for clamping vessels.

Postoperative monitoring includes temperature (hypothermia common), pain score, incision inspection, and monitoring for dehiscence, hemorrhage, and infection.

Premedication commonly combines an opioid (e.g., hydromorphone, buprenorphine) with a sedative (e.g., acepromazine, dexmedetomidine, midazolam) to reduce induction dose and stress.

Induction agents include propofol (rapid, dose-dependent apnea), alfaxalone, ketamine (dissociative), and mask induction with inhalant; endotracheal intubation protects the airway and enables positive-pressure ventilation.

Inhalant MAC (minimum alveolar concentration) is the concentration preventing movement in 50% of patients; lower MAC in geriatric, hypothermic, or pregnant patients.

Anesthetic monitoring: heart rate and rhythm, respiratory rate and effort, mucous membrane color, capillary refill time, blood pressure, temperature, and end-tidal CO2 and inhalant concentration.

Hypotension under anesthesia is often defined as systolic <90 mmHg or MAP <60 mmHg; causes include vasodilation, hypovolemia, and deep anesthesia.

Capnography: normal end-tidal CO2 is approximately 35–45 mmHg; a sudden drop may indicate disconnection, obstruction, or cardiac arrest; a rise may indicate hypoventilation.

Recovery: extubate when swallowing reflex returns; monitor temperature, oxygenation, and pain; provide supplemental heat and oxygen as needed.

Local anesthetics (lidocaine, bupivacaine) block sodium channels; bupivacaine is more cardiotoxic and should not be used for IV regional anesthesia in small animals.

Dental formula: adult dog 2×(I3/3, C1/1, P4/4, M2/3) = 42 teeth; adult cat 2×(I3/3, C1/1, P3/2, M1/1) = 30 teeth.

Periodontal disease staging uses probing depth, attachment loss, and radiographs; normal sulcus depth in dogs is ≤3 mm and in cats ≤1 mm (values vary by source).

Dental radiography is required for complete evaluation; intraoral films show roots, bone loss, and retained roots not visible on visual exam.

Scaling removes supragingival and subgingival calculus; polishing smooths enamel; both require general anesthesia with a cuffed endotracheal tube to protect the airway.

Tooth extraction: use a dental elevator and extraction forceps; multirooted teeth (carnassial, maxillary fourth premolar) may require sectioning into individual roots.

Feline tooth resorption (FORL) lesions often appear as missing tooth crown with retained root fragments; treatment is extraction or crown amputation based on radiographic type.

Home dental care: daily brushing with veterinary toothpaste; human toothpaste contains fluoride and detergents not intended for swallowing.

Dental charting records tooth-by-tooth findings (probing depth, mobility, furcation involvement) and guides treatment planning.

Blood collection: EDTA tube for hematology (CBC), serum separator or plain tube for chemistry, citrate tube for coagulation (fill to line), heparin tube for some chemistries.

Order of draw for microcollection: blood culture, then citrate, then serum, then heparin, then EDTA, then oxalate/fluoride (per CLSI guidance).

PCV: centrifuge microhematocrit tube; normal dog ~37–55%, cat ~30–45%; buffy coat contains leukocytes and platelets.

Total protein by refractometer is affected by lipemia and hemolysis; plasma protein from heparinized samples may differ slightly from serum protein.

Urinalysis: evaluate color, clarity, specific gravity (refractometer), pH, protein, glucose, ketones, blood, and sediment (crystals, casts, cells, bacteria).

Fecal flotation uses a hypertonic solution (e.g., zinc sulfate, sugar) to float parasite eggs; direct smear is useful for motile protozoa.

Cytology: fine-needle aspirate smears are air-dried and stained with Wright-Giemsa or Diff-Quik; evaluate cell type, nuclear features, and background.

Blood glucose meters and in-house analyzers require calibration and quality control; species-specific reference intervals should be used.

Vital signs: normal rectal temperature dog ~38.0–39.2°C (100.5–102.5°F), cat ~38.1–39.2°C (100.5–102.5°F); heart rate dog 60–160 bpm, cat 140–220 bpm; respiratory rate dog 10–30/min, cat 20–30/min.

Body condition scoring (1–9 or 1–5 scale) assesses fat cover over ribs and spine; used to guide feeding and monitor weight trends.

Fluid therapy: maintenance ~50–60 mL/kg/day for adult dogs and cats; replace deficits plus ongoing losses; monitor for overload (serous nasal discharge, tachypnea, weight gain).

Nutritional support: calculate resting energy requirement (RER) = 70 × (body weight in kg)^0.75; illness factor multiplies RER for critically ill patients.

Restraint: use minimal restraint, muzzle or towel wrap for fearful patients, and chemical restraint when needed; always protect the airway and cervical spine.

Isolation protocols: separate infectious patients, use dedicated equipment, hand hygiene before and after contact, and appropriate PPE.

Common nursing tasks: IV catheter care (flush, assess patency, bandage), urinary catheter monitoring, wound bandage changes, and recumbent patient turning.

Client education topics include medication administration, wound care, feeding tubes, and recognizing signs of pain or deterioration.

Radiographic density: air (black), fat, soft tissue/fluid, bone/mineral, metal (white); the mnemonic is 'air, fat, soft tissue, bone, metal.'

Standard thoracic views: right lateral, left lateral, and ventrodorsal or dorsoventral; orthogonal views are required for complete evaluation.

Abdominal radiography: evaluate organ size and position, bowel gas pattern, presence of free gas (pneumoperitoneum), and radiopaque calculi.

Radiation safety: ALARA principle, collimation, lead apron and gloves, dosimeter badge, and distance/shielding to reduce exposure.

Ultrasound: real-time imaging; useful for pregnancy diagnosis, abdominal organ evaluation, and guided sampling; requires clipping and acoustic gel.

Computed tomography (CT) provides cross-sectional imaging and is useful for complex fractures, thoracic masses, and surgical planning.

Contrast studies (barium, iodine) require patient preparation and monitoring; note that contrast agents can cause adverse reactions.

Image labeling should include patient ID, date, view, and anatomical orientation; artifacts (motion, grid, positioning) should be recognized and minimized.

Triage: assess airway, breathing, circulation (ABC); life-threatening conditions (e.g., respiratory distress, hemorrhage, shock) are treated before detailed history.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: chest compressions at 100–120/min with a compression-to-ventilation ratio of 30:2 for single rescuer; use capnography and ECG monitoring.

Shock: recognize via tachycardia, pale mucous membranes, prolonged CRT, weak pulses, and hypotension; treat with crystalloid or colloid boluses and reassess.

Hemorrhage control: direct pressure, pressure bandages, and tourniquets for limb bleeding; monitor for hypovolemia and anemia.

Poisoning: identify toxin, time of exposure, and amount; contact a poison control service; decontamination (emesis, activated charcoal) only when appropriate.

Heatstroke: cool with water and fans, monitor temperature, treat for shock, and watch for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Emergency drug common examples: epinephrine for cardiac arrest, atropine for bradycardia, diazepam for seizures, and naloxone for opioid reversal.

Monitoring trends: serial vital signs, blood glucose, lactate, and PCV/TP help guide resuscitation and detect deterioration.

Pain assessment uses validated scales (e.g., Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale for dogs, Feline Grimace Scale) plus behavioral and physiologic signs.

Multimodal analgesia combines drugs with different mechanisms (opioid + NSAID + local anesthetic) to improve efficacy and reduce individual doses.

NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX); COX-1 is constitutive (gastroprotection, platelet function), COX-2 is induced at sites of inflammation.

Opioids act on mu, kappa, and delta receptors; common examples include morphine, hydromorphone, buprenorphine, and fentanyl.

Local anesthetics (lidocaine, bupivacaine) provide regional blockade; use with caution in patients with cardiac disease or at toxic doses.

Chronic pain management includes weight control, physical therapy, NSAIDs, and adjuncts such as gabapentin or amantadine.

Signs of pain in animals: vocalization, guarding, reluctance to move, altered grooming, changes in appetite, and facial expression changes.

Analgesic plan should be reassessed regularly; record pain scores before and after intervention to evaluate effectiveness.

Veterinary practice acts define the legal scope of practice for veterinarians and credentialed technicians; tasks requiring direct supervision must be performed under a veterinarian's order.

Controlled substances: DEA registration, secure storage, inventory records, and reporting of loss or theft are required; Schedule II drugs have the strictest controls.

Record keeping: medical records should include history, exam findings, treatments, and consent; retention periods vary by state.

Informed consent: clients should understand risks, benefits, and alternatives before procedures; document consent in the record.

Prescription labeling: include drug name, strength, quantity, directions, patient and client information, and prescriber; comply with state and federal rules.

Zoonotic disease prevention: hand hygiene, PPE, vaccination of staff, and client education reduce transmission risk.

OSHA and workplace safety: hazard communication, sharps handling, radiation safety, and injury reporting are part of practice compliance.

Professional ethics: maintain confidentiality, provide accurate information, and refer when a case exceeds the technician's scope or competence.