Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

Paula Pattengale, DVM, MA , a small animal clinical practitioner for over 25 years, developed veterinary assistant programs in California, one of which was recognized by the California Department of Education as one of the first model vocational education programs in the state. She is now retired from teaching.

Preface. Acknowledgments. Introduction. CHAPTER 1 FOUNDATION SKILLS. Task 1.01 Self-Assessment and Review of Foundation Skills. Task 1.02 Analyzing Medical Terminology. Task 1.03 Analysis and Resolution of Medical Math Problems. Task 1.04 Computer Literacy. Task 1.05 Technocompetency. CHAPTER 2 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT. Task 2.01 Meeting Employer Expectations. Task 2.02 Using Common Courtesies. Task 2.03 Applying the Human-Animal Bond. Task 2.04 The Role of the Veterinary Assistant. Task 2.05 Applying Veterinary Ethics. Task 2.06 Professional Appearance. Task 2.07 Using Appropriate Language. Task 2.08 Anticipating Work Flow. Task 2.09 Using a Task Box. CHAPTER 3 LAWS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. Task 3.01 Common Law. Task 3.02 Federal Laws. Task 3.02.01 Occupational Safety and Health. Task 3.02.02 Product Safety Labels. Task 3.02.03 Personal Protective Equipment. Task 3.02.04 Universal Precautions. Task 3.03 State Laws Task 3.04 Local Ordinances. CHAPTER 4 INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL. Task 4.01 Animal Classifi cation and Identification. CHAPTER 5 INFECTIOUS DISEASE: TRANSMISSION AND PREVENTION. Task 5.01 Disease Transmission. Task 5.01.01 Preventing Nosocomial Infections. Task 5.02 Cage and Kennel Cleaning. Task 5.03 Cleaning Storage Areas. Task 5.04 Cleaning Varied Surfaces. Task 5.05 Cleaning Hospital Laundry. Task 5.06 Handling Hospital Waste. CHAPTER 6 ROPES AND KNOTS. Task 6.01 Types of Rope. Task 6.02 Parts of a Rope. Task 6.03 Types of Knots. CHAPTER 7 ANIMAL RESTRAINT. Task 7.01 Species Differences and Handling. Task 7.02 Psychological Restraint. Task 7.03 Placement and Removal of Patients from Enclosures. Task 7.04 Birds: Removal and Return to Caging. Task 7.05 Haltering a Horse. Task 7.06 Lifting Heavy Animals. Task 7.07 Handling the Fractious Patient. Task 7.07.01 Gauze Muzzle. Task 7.07.02 Tape Muzzle. Task 7.07.03 Leash Muzzle. Task 7.07.04 Metal or Basket Muzzle. Task 7.08 Restraint During the Physical Examination. Task 7.09 Restraint During Venipuncture. Task 7.09.01 Jugular Venipuncture. Task 7.09.02 Cephalic Venipuncture. Task 7.09.03 Use of Other Vessels. Task 7.10 Restraint During Administration of Injections. Task 7.10.01 Restraint During Vaccination. Task 7.11 Restraint: Sternal Recumbency. Task 7.12 Restraint: Lateral Recumbency. Task 7.13 Restraint: Dorsal Recumbency. Task 7.14 Head Restraint: Elizabethan Collar and Neck Brace. Task 7.15 Leg Restraint: Hobbles. Task 7.16 Species Considerations: Rabbits. CHAPTER 8 NURSING SKILLS I. Task 8.01 Patient Discharge or Hospitalization? Task 8.02 Meeting a Patient's Basic Needs. Task 8.02.01 Environmental Considerations. Task 8.02.02 Feeding the Hospitalized Patient. Task 8.02.03 Water Availability and Consumption. Task 8.02.04 Socialization and Exercise. Task 8.02.05 In-hospital Grooming. Task 8.03 Medical Records. Task 8.03.01 Treatment Plan. Task 8.04 Working in the Treatment Room. Task 8.05 Examination-Room Preparation. CHAPTER 9 NURSING SKILLS II. Task 9.01 Grooming the Outpatient. Task 9.01.01 Combing and Brushing. Task 9.01.02 Ear Cleaning. Task 9.01.03 Nail Trimming. Task 9.01.04 Expressing Anal Sacs. Task 9.01.05 Bathing and Dipping. Task 9.02 Clipper Maintenance. Task 9.03 Clipping a Bird's Flight Feathers. Task 9.04 Mixing Vaccines and Filling Syringes. Task 9.05 Dental Care. Task 9.05.01 Dental Charting. Task 9.05.02 Daily Dental Care. Task 9.06 Administration of Medication. Task 9.06.01 Administration of Medication: Oral. Task 9.06.02 Administration of Medication: Aural. Task 9.06.03 Administration of Medication: Topical. Task 9.06.04 Administration of Medication: Ophthalmic. Task 9.06.05 Injections. CHAPTER 10 NURSING SKILLS III. Task 10.01 Vital Signs. Task 10.01.01 Determining Weight and Body Condition Score. Task 10.01.02 Determining Respiratory Rate. Task 10.01.03 Determining Pulse and Heart Rate. Task 10.01.04 Determining Core Body Temperature. Task 10.02 Pain Evaluation. Task 10.03 Sexing a Cat. Task 10.04 Aging the Dog and Cat Using Their Dentition. Task 10.05 Monitoring IV Fluid Administration and IV Catheter Maintenance. Task 10.06 Wound Care and Bandaging. Task 10.07 Emergency Support. Task 10.08 Euthanasia. CHAPTER 11 PHARMACY SKILLS. Task 11.01 Reading a Prescription. Task 11.02 Prescription Labeling. Task 11.03 Prescription Packaging. Task 11.04 Filling the Prescription: Drug Identification. Task 11.05 Filling the Prescription: How Much to Dispense. Task 11.06 Handling Controlled Substances. Task 11.07 Explaining Patient Medication to the Owner. CHAPTER 12 LABORATORY SKILLS. Task 12.01 Working in the Veterinary Laboratory. Task 12.02 Common External Parasites. Task 12.03 Identifying Common Endoparasites: Handling the Fecal Sample. Task 12.04 Blood Collection and Handling. Task 12.05 The Complete Blood Count. Task 12.05.01 Preparing the Blood Smear. Task 12.05.02 Wright's Stain. Task 12.05.03 Packed Cell Volume. Task 12.05.04 Plasma Protein Determination. Task 12.06 Blood Chemistry and Electrolyte Determinations. Task 12.07 Using Serologic Test Kits. Task 12.08 Urine Collection and Urinalysis. Task 12.08.01 Urinalysis. Task 12.09 The Culture and Sensitivity of Pathogens. Task 12.09.01 Sample Collection for Culture. Task 12.09.02 Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing. Task 12.10 Necropsy: Preparation and Follow-up. CHAPTER 13 ENDOSCOPY. Task 13.01 Endoscopy: Preparation. Task 13.02 Endoscopy: Postprocedure. CHAPTER 14 DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING. Task 14.01 Diagnostic Imaging. Task 14.01.01 Radiation Safety. Task 14.02 Using the Radiology Log. Task 14.03 Patient Positioning. Task 14.04 Correct Use of the Calipers. Task 14.05 Using a Technique Chart. Task 14.06 Film Identification. Task 14.07 Developing Film. Task 14.07.01 Automatic Film Processing. Task 14.07.02 Manual Film Processing. Task 14.08 Handling Film and Cassette Maintenance. Task 14.09 Film Filing. Task 14.10 Darkroom Maintenance. Task 14.11 Diagnostic Ultrasonography. Task 14.12 Dental Radiography. CHAPTER 15 PRESURGICAL SKILLS. Task 15.01 Surgery Log Book and the Patient Anesthetic Record. Task 15.02 Implementing Aseptic Technique. Task 15.03 Surgical Suite Maintenance. Task 15.04 Preanesthetic Patient Preparation. Task 15.05 Anesthetic Induction. Task 15.06 Intubation. Task 15.07 Surgical Site Preparation. Task 15.08 Presurgical Packs. Task 15.09 Gowning the Surgeon. Task 15.10 Patient Positioning and Final Skin Preparation. Task 15.11 Checking the Anesthesia Machine. Task 15.12 Pain Recognition and Management. CHAPTER 16 THE SURGICAL PERIOD. Task 16.01 Patient Monitoring. Task 16.02 Preparing Drape and Towel Packs. Task 16.03 Of Scalpel Blades, Sutures and ... Task 16.04 Gloving. Task 16.05 Common Surgical Procedures. CHAPTER 17 THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD. Task 17.01 Postanesthetic Patient Care. Task 17.02 Postoperative Patient Care. Task 17.03 Sterilization Techniques and Equipment. Task 17.04 Instrument and Glove Preparation. Task 17.05 Pack Preparation. Task 17.06 Postoperative Surgery Room Cleaning. CHAPTER 18 FRONT OFFICE PROCEDURES. Task 18.01 Medical Record Assembly. Task 18.02 Color Coding Medical Records. Task 18.03 Filing. Task 18.04 Appointment Scheduling. Task 18.05 Updating Client Information. Task 18.06 Intake Procedures. Task 18.07 The Signalment. Task 18.08 Release of Patient Information. Task 18.09 Rabies Certificates. Task 18.10 Health Certifi cates and Interstate Shipment of Animals. Task 18.11 Consent Forms. Task 18.12 Client Communications. Task 18.13 Patient Discharge. Task 18.14 Telephone Techniques. Task 18.15 Handling Diffi cult Clients. Task 18.16 Hospital Closing Procedures. CHAPTER 19 VETERINARY PRACTICE ROUTINES. Task 19.01 Wellness Programs. Task 19.02 Using Practice Protocols. Task 19.03 Inventory Control. Task 19.04 In-house Communications. Task 19.05 Letter Writing. APPENDICES. Appendix A: SCANS Competencies and Foundation Skills. Appendix B: Suffi xes, Prefi xes, and Anatomical Terms (Roots). Appendix C: Directional Vocabulary. Appendix D: Metric System and Table of Equivalents. Appendix E: Scientifi c Names of Common Species. Appendix F: Blood Collection Tube Types. Appendix G: Anatomical Locations of Veins Frequently Used for Venipuncture. Appendix H: Abbreviations for Prescriptions. Appendix I: Disease, Surgical, Procedural, and Observational Abbreviations. Appendix J: Common Gender Names. Appendix K: Body Condition Score. Appendix L: Normal Vital Signs. Appendix M: Pain Scale for Cats. Appendix N: Dental Eruption Dates. Appendix O: Anesthetic Record. Appendix P: Guedel's Classifi cation of Ether Anesthesia. Appendix Q: Frequently Used Surgical Instruments. Appendix R: Surgical Preparation Areas of Patients. Appendix S: Modifi ed Glasgow Pain Scale. Appendix T: Simplifi ed Punctuation. Appendix U: U.S. State and Territory Animal Import Regulations. Appendix V: Vaccination Recommendations for Foals and Adult Horses. Appendix W: Blood Collection Protocol. Competency Record. Internet Resources. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.