Practical Laboratory Techniques
Figure 7.2 Veterinary nurse carrying out buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT) in house. Figure 7.3 In house viral testing kit for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Packed Cell…
GENERAL
Nursing the Dyspnoeic Patient
Gaining intravenous access allows administration of drugs, fluids and, if necessary, allows intravenous anaesthesia to be rapidly administered; this may be necessary if the patient decompensates and endotracheal intubation to…
Nursing Urinary Tract Emergencies
Stabilisation Urinary tract obstruction or leakage of urine will usually result in azotaemia, hyperkalaemia, acidosis and often hypovolaemia. Hypovolaemic animals need volume resuscitation with an isotonic crystalloid to correct hypoperfusion….
Nursing the Poisoned Patient
Many poisons do not have a specific antidote, or a specific treatment, but close observation and careful supportive care can make all the difference. Reducing Absorption If the toxin has…
‘Shock’ and Intravenous Fluid Therapy
The remaining 1% body weight is transcellular fluid, this is specialised excreted fluids that serve a specific function, e.g. cerebrospinal fluid, gastrointestinal tract secretions. Intravascular volume comprises such a small…
Nursing the Cardiac Patient
DyspnoeaCrackles on auscultationOpen mouth breathingCough* Muffled lung soundsPale or cyanotic mucous membranes Cardiovascular system Muffled heart soundsTachycardiaBradycardiaIrregular rhythm and pulse deficitsGallop rhythm† Murmurs‡ Weak pulsesJugular distension and pulsationSlow CRT CNS…
Nursing the Emergency Ophthalmology Patient
Prolapsed Globe Prolapse of the globe is an acute displacement of the globe from the orbit, beyond the plane of the eyelids. This may occur as a result of impact…
Nursing Considerations in the Critical Patient
Offer food and water (specify type and calculate RER) and record volume ingested as directed/dictated by method of feeding RER, resting energy expenditure. Fluid Balance Many critical patients have an…
Cardiopulmonary Arrest and Resuscitation
Early Intervention Most veterinary patients will develop CPA due to progressive systemic illness, trauma or other processes resulting in hospitalisation. The best method to improve survival from CPA is to…
Triage and Assessment of the Emergency Patient
Knowing the nature of the problem, along with the signalment of the animal, allows a great deal of preparation to occur prior to the patient’s arrival (see Figure 1.2); this…
