NM Vet Tech study plan

Build a drug-class reference chart covering the 12 drug classes most used in general practice (antibiotics, NSAIDs, opioids, alpha-2 agonists, dissociatives, benzodiazepines, anticholinergics, induction agents, antiemetics, dewormers, corticosteroids, fluids/electrolytes), listing mechanism, key adverse effects, and monitoring parameter for each

Calculate 15 dose problems by hand from patient weight and concentration, converting between mg/kg, mg/mL, percent solutions, and units/kg, and verify each with dimensional analysis

Explain the difference between MAC, minimum alveolar concentration, and the practical meaning of vaporizer dial settings for isoflurane and sevoflurane

List the four components of a balanced anesthesia protocol and match one premed, one induction agent, and one maintenance option to each of three ASA status examples

Describe the controlled-substance recordkeeping chain of custody for a schedule II opioid from receipt to waste, including who signs each entry

Sequence the 10 steps of aseptic surgical preparation from patient clipping through final drape placement, stating the rationale for each step and the most common break in technique

Describe the three surgical instrument categories (cutting, grasping, retracting) and name the specific instrument used for each of six common procedures

Outline the sterilization options (steam autoclave, ethylene oxide, cold soak) and match each to the items it can and cannot safely process

Build a triage algorithm that assigns a color category to 10 presenting complaints using perfusion, respiratory effort, mentation, and pain score

Explain the initial stabilization priorities for hemorrhagic shock, gastric dilatation-volvulus, and urethral obstruction, including fluid rate calculation and when to decompress

Describe proper sample handling for CBC, serum chemistry, urinalysis, and cytology, including tube type, minimum volume, and the effect of hemolysis or delayed processing on results

Interpret 8 complete blood count and chemistry panels by flagging the abnormal value, naming the likely pattern (e.g., regenerative anemia, azotemia, cholestasis), and proposing one confirmatory test

Explain the four radiographic opacities (bone, soft tissue, fat, gas) and identify all four on three normal thoracic and abdominal films described in text

Describe patient positioning and beam angle for lateral and ventrodorsal/dorsoventral thoracic, abdominal, and limb radiographs and state why each view is chosen

List the safety principles of radiation protection (time, distance, shielding, collimation, personnel monitoring) and identify three common errors in a described exposure scenario

Name the four dental tissue types and describe the periodontal structures, then explain the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis with staging criteria

Sequence a complete oral examination under anesthesia from charting through probing, radiographing, scaling, polishing, and fluoride application

Identify the tooth-numbering system used in practice (modified Triadan) and label 10 specified teeth on a written dental chart

Outline the nursing care plan for a hospitalized patient across the four vital-sign parameters (temperature, pulse, respiration, pain) with monitoring frequency and intervention thresholds

Describe nutrition and fluid support for a hospitalized patient, including resting energy requirement calculation and when to use assisted feeding

Differentiate acute from chronic pain and somatic from visceral pain, and match each category to an appropriate assessment tool (e.g., Colorado State acute pain scale, Glasgow composite measure, feline grimace scale)

Build a multimodal analgesia plan for three scenarios (post-operative ovariohysterectomy, chronic osteoarthritis, cancer pain) using at least three drug classes per plan and stating the rationale for each

Explain the mechanism and clinical role of local anesthetics, including maximum safe doses of lidocaine and bupivacaine and the signs of local anesthetic toxicity

Describe the recognition and management of postoperative pain escalation, including when to add an opioid, an NSAID, or an adjunct such as gabapentin or ketamine infusion

List the key monitoring parameters for a patient receiving an opioid infusion and the signs of respiratory depression, and state the reversal protocol

Summarize the regulatory framework that governs veterinary practice: state practice act, scope of duties for credentialed technicians, supervision levels (direct, indirect, immediate), and the role of the veterinary board

Explain the legal requirements for prescription writing, labeling, record retention, and controlled-substance logs, and identify three common documentation errors

Describe the DEA schedule classifications and the handling requirements for each, including storage, inventory, and disposal

Outline the informed-consent process and the technician's role in client communication and documentation of consent

Review the pharmacology content from week 1 by re-deriving 10 dose calculations and matching 10 drugs to their reversal agents or contraindications

Walk through the full surgical nursing role from pre-operative assessment through recovery, including the anesthesia monitoring record and the criteria for extubation and discharge

Perform a written review of 6 laboratory case scenarios that combine hematology, chemistry, and urinalysis findings and propose a diagnostic plan for each

Interpret 6 described radiographic studies (thoracic, abdominal, orthopedic) by naming the view, the primary finding, and one differential

Describe the correct handling and interpretation of a blood smear, including platelet estimate, rouleaux, and toxic change

Explain the principles of aseptic technique maintenance during surgery and the signs of surgical site infection in the postoperative period

Run a timed 60-question mixed-format practice set drawn from all 10 domains and score it, then categorize every missed item by domain and cause (knowledge gap, misread, calculation error)

Re-teach the three weakest domains from the practice set by writing a one-paragraph summary of each key concept in your own words

Recite the emergency drug doses and reversal agents for the 10 most common crash-cart drugs from memory and check against references

Explain the technician's legal and ethical obligations during an emergency, including consent in a life-threatening situation and documentation of a CPR event

Build a personal test-day checklist covering timing, question strategy, calculation scratch work, and flagging uncertain items