Triage priorities, shock recognition, and emergency stabilization procedures for the veterinary technician.
35 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What is the first step when triaging any emergency patient?
- Assess airway, breathing, and circulation (the ABCs).
- What does CRT stand for in a physical exam?
- Capillary refill time.
- What is a normal capillary refill time in dogs and cats?
- Less than 2 seconds.
- What does a prolonged capillary refill time usually indicate?
- Poor peripheral perfusion, often from shock.
- What does pale (white or pale pink) mucous membrane color suggest?
- Anemia or poor perfusion.
- What does blue (cyanotic) mucous membrane color suggest?
- Inadequate oxygenation.
- What does yellow (icteric) mucous membrane color suggest?
- Liver disease or hemolysis (jaundice).
- What does brick red (injected) mucous membrane color suggest?
- Sepsis or early compensated shock with vasodilation.
- In early, compensated shock, what happens to a dog's heart rate?
- It increases (tachycardia).
- In late, decompensated shock, what happens to a dog's heart rate?
- It decreases (bradycardia) as compensation fails.
- What is the most common cause of hypovolemic shock?
- Severe blood or fluid loss.
- What causes cardiogenic shock?
- The heart fails to pump blood effectively.
- What causes distributive (septic) shock?
- Widespread vasodilation, such as from sepsis.
- What causes obstructive shock?
- A physical blockage of blood flow, such as GDV or pericardial effusion.
- Unlike dogs, how do cats often present when in shock?
- With bradycardia (a slow heart rate) instead of tachycardia.