VTEC 1250 - Veterinary Nursing Techniques

3 Credits
Prerequisites VTEC 1200, VTEC 1100, VTEC 1210, VTEC 1001, VTEC 1110, VTEC 1120

Co-Requisites VTEC 1002

In this course students learn and practice various aspects of small animal husbandry including kennel management and sanitation, reproductive cycles and management, recognition of and response to emergency situations, preventative medicine, and nursing care. Discussion and practice of specialty physical exams will take place. This course will introduce concepts of first aid, care for critically ill patients, emergency nursing, oncology, cardiology, and neurology. There will be opportunities to perform specific nursing skills on small animals. Prerequisites: VTEC 1001, VTEC 1100, VTEC 1110, VTEC 1120, VTEC 1200 and VTEC 1210.

Learning Outcomes
Determine the correct dosages of drugs and fluids and be able to safely administer parenteral medications

Compare fluid delivery systems and determine, calculate, and maintain fluid rates.

Demonstrate the ability to perform first aid and CPR on dogs and cats.

Discuss small animal reproductive physiology and reproduction techniques, and collect, prepare, and evaluatecanine vaginal cytology.

Explain how to perform urethral catheterization, gastric intubation and enemas, and produce an ECG reading with leads properly attached and recognize abnormal rhythms.

Discuss ophthalmic exams and abnormalities and be able to perform Schirmer tear test, tonometry, and fluorescein staining on a patient and relate each of these tests to the condition(s) potentially revealed.

Perform common medication/care techniques: administer topical medication, oral medications, ophthalmicmedication, and optic medication after cleaning ears. Demonstrate the ability to administer drugs safely andeffectively by common parenteral and enteral routes.

Assess information provided and ask questions to obtain additional information in order to receive and record an accurate, concise and complete patient history, and assist with performing a complete physical exam and record findings in a systematic format using accepted terminology.

Explain the special care needs of recumbent patients, nursing care for newborn puppies and kittens, anddemonstrate the use of specialized bandaging, splinting and casting techniques.

Identify and maintain appropriate sanitation and nosocomial/quarantine protocols for a veterinary facility,including patient areas.