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Cheat sheet

VTNE Cheat Sheet

Practice QuestionsStudy Guide

Pharmacy and Pharmacology

13%of exam

Drug calculationsDosage and CRIControlled substancesDrug classes and reversalAdministration routes

Surgical Nursing

13%of exam

Asepsis and sterilizationSurgical prepInstrument IDSterile fieldPerioperative monitoring

Dentistry

7%of exam

Triadan chartingPeriodontal probingProphy sequenceDental radiographsFORL recognition

Laboratory Procedures

9%of exam

Tube anticoagulantsHematology methodsUrinalysisParasitologyQuality control

Animal Care and Nursing

20%of exam

Vital signsFluid therapyNutrition and RERRestraint and behaviorHusbandry and sanitation

Diagnostic Imaging

6%of exam

ALARA safetyPositioningTechnique kVp mAsContrast agentsRadiation protection

Anesthesia

13%of exam

Machine checksMonitoring parametersBreathing systemsRecovery and extubationAnesthetic drugs

Emergency and Critical Care

7%of exam

RECOVER CPRTriage primary surveyShock fluidsToxicology emesisHeatstroke cooling

Pain Management and Analgesia

7%of exam

Pain scoringMultimodal plansNSAID safetyLocal blocksPre-emptive analgesia

Communication and Client Relations

5%of exam

Informed consentTeach-back dischargeMedical records SOAPProfessionalismDocumentation

Quick Facts

Exam
VTNE
Questions
170 MCQ
Pass Score
425 scaled
Pass Rate
About 65%
Time
3 hours
Administrator
AAVSB and PSI
Cost
$375 application fee

Drug Calculation Chain

Dose mg/kg x BW then divide

Dose: mg/kg x kgVolume: dose / concCRI: x60 / conc

NSAID vs Corticosteroid

NSAIDs

  • COX inhibitor
  • GI renal risk
  • Never combine

Steroids

  • Immunosuppress
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Never combine

Both ulcer risk

Dosage Calculation Picker

  1. Need drug dose→mg/kg x BW(Dose in mg)
  2. Need drug volume→dose / concentration(Result mL)
  3. Need CRI mL/hr→dose x BW x 60(/ concentration)
  4. Need fluid deficit→BW x % x 1000(mL deficit)
  5. Need maintenance→60 mL/kg/day(Dog baseline)
  6. Need RER→70 x BW^0.75(kcal/day)

Pharmacy Calculations

CRI
Constant rate infusion
mg/kg
Dose per weight
mL/hr
Pump rate
q12h
Every 12 hours
PO
By mouth
mEq
Milliequivalent unit
mcg/kg/min
CRI dose rate

Atipamezole vs Naloxone

Atipamezole

  • Alpha-2 reversal
  • Dexmedetomidine
  • Sedative reversal

Naloxone

  • Opioid reversal
  • Hydromorphone
  • Pure mu antagonist

Sedative vs opioid

Pharmacology Drug Classes

Naloxone
Opioid reversal
Atipamezole
Alpha-2 reversal
Maropitant
NK-1 antiemetic
Furosemide
Loop diuretic
Carprofen
COX inhibitor NSAID
Acepromazine
Phenothiazine sedative
Flumazenil
Benzodiazepine reversal

Surgical Asepsis

Mayo-Hegar
Needle holder
Metzenbaum
Delicate tissue scissors
Backhaus
Towel clamp
Spore test
Sterilization proof
Damp pack
Treat contaminated
Clean-contaminated
Hollow viscus entry
Clipping
Preferred over shaving

Perioperative Flow

Skin prep
Incision outward circles
Sterile zone
Front gown and gloves
Instrument count
Reconcile before closure
Circulator
Non-sterile supply role
Hands up
Water drips to elbows
Hypothermia
Slows recovery and clotting
Active warming
Prevent heat loss

Triadan Quadrants

1R 2L upper 3L 4R lower

1xx right maxillary3xx left mandibularClockwise right to left

Dental Charting Triadan

Triadan 1xx
Right maxillary
Triadan 2xx
Left maxillary
Triadan 3xx
Left mandibular
Triadan 4xx
Right mandibular
Tooth 104
Right maxillary canine
Adult dog
42 permanent teeth
Adult cat
30 permanent teeth

Dental Prophylaxis

Dog pocket
1-3 mm normal
Cat sulcus
Under 1 mm
Prophy sequence
Scale polish irrigate
M3 mobility
Severe extraction cue
FORL
Feline tooth resorption
Cuffed ET
Airway protection
Low speed polish
Avoid pulp heat damage

Lab Tubes and Anticoagulants

EDTA purple
CBC anticoagulant
Sodium fluoride
Gray top glucose
Serum red
Chemistry clots
Lithium heparin
Blood gas syringe
Order of draw
Prevent additive carryover
Hemolysis
Falsely raises potassium
Gray top
Inhibits glycolysis

Lab Diagnostic Methods

Refractometer
Urine specific gravity
PCV
Spun hematocrit tube
Buffy coat
WBC and platelets
Fecal flotation
Eggs float dense solution
Diff-Quik
Romanowsky cytology stain
Neutrophil
Most numerous WBC
Reticulocyte
Regenerative anemia marker

Five Rights of Meds

Patient drug dose route time

Right patientRight drug doseRight route time

Contact vs Airborne Precautions

Contact

  • Gown gloves
  • Dedicated equipment
  • Treat last

Airborne

  • Negative pressure
  • N95 respirator
  • Aerosol route

Surface vs aerosol

Vital Signs

Rectal temp
100.5-102.5 F
Dog HR
70-120 bpm
Cat HR
140-220 bpm
Resting RR
16-30 breaths per min
CRT
Under 2 seconds
Maintenance fluid
60 mL/kg/day
Gestation
63 days dog cat

Nursing Care and Husbandry

RER formula
70 x BW^0.75
Fluid deficit
Weight times percent times 1000
Decubital ulcer
Reposition and pad
Isolation rule
Treat patient last
Leptospirosis
Zoonotic via urine
Cage card
ID allergies alerts
Refeeding
Start below RER

ALARA Principle

ALARA: time distance shielding

Short exposure timeStep back distanceLead apron shield

Barium vs Iodinated Contrast

Barium

  • Upper GI study
  • No perforation
  • Cheaper

Iodinated

  • Perforation safe
  • Water-soluble
  • Faster clearance

Perforation decides

Contrast Agent Picker

  1. No perforation→Barium(Upper GI)
  2. Perforation suspected→Iodinated(Water-soluble)
  3. Image too dark→Reduce mAs(Fix technique)
  4. Motion artifact→Sedate(Avoid retakes)
  5. High scatter→Collimate(Restrict beam)

Imaging Safety and Contrast

ALARA
Time distance shielding
Collimation
Restrict beam reduce scatter
kVp
Beam energy penetration
mAs
X-ray quantity density
Lead PPE
Out of primary beam
Sedation
For motion artifact
Right lateral
Right side down
Barium
Upper GI no perforation
Iodinated
Safe if perforation

SpO2 vs EtCO2

SpO2

  • Oxygenation
  • 95-100 percent
  • Hemoglobin saturation

EtCO2

  • Ventilation
  • 35-45 mmHg
  • CO2 elimination

O2 vs CO2

Anesthesia Troubleshooting

  1. EtCO2 rising→Assist ventilation(Hypoventilation)
  2. SpO2 below 90→Check airway O2(Hypoxemia)
  3. Hypotension→Reduce depth(Per clinician)
  4. Bradycardia→Atropine(Anticholinergic)
  5. Hypothermia→Active warming(Monitor temp)
  6. Shallow breathing→Ventilate(Check depth)

Anesthesia Monitoring

EtCO2
35-45 mmHg ventilation
SpO2
95-100 percent saturation
Hypotension
Reduce anesthetic depth
Bradycardia
Atropine anticholinergic
Depth signs
Eye position jaw tone
Preoxygenation
Oxygen reserve before induction
Hypothermia
Slows recovery metabolism

Anesthesia Equipment

Cuffed ET
Secure airway prevent aspiration
Non-rebreathing
Under 5-7 kg
Soda lime
CO2 absorbent change when colored
Scavenging
Remove waste anesthetic gas
Pop-off valve
Keep open avoid barotrauma
Leak test
Before every anesthetic case
Brachycephalic
Extubate fully awake

RECOVER CPR

RECOVER: CAB then drugs

C compressions 100-120A airway intubateB breathe 10/min

Triage Priority Order

  1. Airway blocked→Intubate first(A first)
  2. Breathing cyanotic→O2 first(B priority)
  3. Shock signs→Crystalloid bolus(10-20 mL/kg)
  4. GDV tympany→Stabilize then surgery(Emergency)
  5. Heatstroke→Cool actively(Stop 103 F)

Emergency and CPR

RECOVER rate
100-120 compressions per min
Compression depth
One-third to half chest
Ventilation
10 breaths per min
Triage ABC
Airway breathing first
Shock bolus
10-20 mL per kg
Heatstroke
Stop cooling at 103 F
GDV
Tympany unproductive retching
Emesis
Noncaustic toxin only

Pre-emptive vs Rescue Analgesia

Pre-emptive

  • Before stimulus
  • Prevents wind-up
  • Lower total drug

Rescue

  • After pain onset
  • Harder to control
  • More drug needed

Before vs after

Pain and Analgesia

Multimodal
Different pain pathways
Pre-emptive
Before painful stimulus
Opioids
Acute pain cornerstone
NSAIDs
COX inhibitor renal caution
Bupivacaine
No IV regional
Lidocaine
Nerve conduction block
Glasgow scale
Standardize pain assessment
Cat pain
Hiding reduced grooming

Client Communication

Teach-back
Confirm client understanding
Informed consent
Risks options signature
Discharge
Written home instructions
SOAP
Subjective objective assessment plan
Treatment sheet
Schedule and document
Professionalism
Empathy and clear language

Common Traps

Sterile field break

Glove outer is sterile ≠ Glove cuff not sterile

KCl route danger

Never IV push bolus ≠ Dilute and infuse slowly

NSAID steroid combo

Both cause GI ulcers ≠ Never give together

Bupivacaine IV risk

Cardiotoxic if IV ≠ Regional block only

Damp autoclave pack

Moisture wicks microbes ≠ Reprocess as contaminated

Barium perforation

Barium causes granuloma ≠ Use iodinated instead

SpO2 EtCO2 confusion

SpO2 is oxygenation ≠ EtCO2 is ventilation

Last Minute

  1. 1.RER = 70 x BW^0.75
  2. 2.Maintenance 60 mL/kg/day
  3. 3.Pass score 425 scaled
  4. 4.170 questions 3 hours
  5. 5.RECOVER 100-120 compressions per min
  6. 6.EtCO2 target 35-45 mmHg
  7. 7.SpO2 target 95-100%
  8. 8.Bupivacaine no IV regional
  9. 9.KCl never IV bolus
  10. 10.Barium no perforation
  11. 11.Extubate brachycephalic awake
  12. 12.Triadan 1R upper 3L lower
  13. 13.Animal care 20% top weight
  14. 14.NSAIDs inhibit COX enzyme

VTNE Veterinary Technician

Practice QuestionsStudy GuideCheat SheetFlashcards2 videos4 blogs

VTNE Study Guide for Aspiring Veterinary Technicians: Pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam with Confidence by Translating Real-World Clinical Skills into Exam-Ready Judgment

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