Handbook of Veterinary Nursing (eBook)

Hilary Orpet and Perdi Welsh are Lecturers in Veterinary Nursing at the Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK

Cover 1
Title Page 5
Copyright 6
Contents 7
Preface 9
Acknowledgements 10
Section 1 Contemporary Veterinary Nursing 11
Intoduction 11
Chapter 1 Present-day Veterinary Nursing in the UK 13
A Brief History 13
The Registered Veterinary Nurse as a Professional Practitioner 14
Legal Responsibilities 15
The Reflective Practitioner 22
References and Further Reading 23
Chapter 2 The Nursing Process 24
The Role of the Veterinary Nurse 24
Introduction to Nursing Theory 25
The Nursing Process in Veterinary Care 26
Models of Nursing Care 37
References and Further Reading 43
Chapter 3 Physical Assessment of the Patient 45
Physical Examination 45
Chapter 4 Nursing Activities of the Ability Model 51
The Ability Model of Care 51
Is the Animal able to Eat Adequately? 52
Is the Animal able to Drink Adequately? 60
Is the Animal able to Urinate Normally? 70
Is the Animal able to Defecate Normally? 75
Is the Animal able to Breathe Normally? 77
Is the Animal able to Maintain Normal Body Temperature? 78
Is the Animal able to Groom and Clean Itself? 79
Is the Animal able to Mobilise Adequately? 83
Is the Animal able to Sleep and Rest Adequately? 90
Is the Animal able to Express Normal Behaviour? 91
Handling and Restraint of Small Animals 92
References and Further Reading 96
Chapter 5 Nursing Notes for Surgical and Medical Conditions 97
Care Plans for General Conditions 97
Care Plans for Patients with Medical Conditions 99
Care Plans for Postsurgical Patients 104
References and Further Reading 113
Section 2 Managing the Hospital Environment 115
Introduction 115
Chapter 6 Communication Skills in the Workplace 117
Questioning Techniques 119
Learning Communication Skills 119
Teamwork 120
Reference 120
Chapter 7 Record Keeping 121
What is the Data Protection Act? 121
Clinical Records 122
Chapter 8 Minimising Risk in the Practice 123
Hazards and Risks 123
What is Risk Assessment? 123
Common Risks in the Veterinary Practice 125
Manual Handling 127
Bites and Scratches 128
Zoonoses and Infectious Diseases 129
Hazardous Chemicals 131
Ionising Radiation 133
Non-Ionising Radiation 133
Clinical Waste (Chemicals, Biological Agents and Sharps) 134
Chapter 9 Infection Control 136
Hospital-Acquired Infections 137
Maintaining Environmental Cleanliness and Hygiene 138
Selecting Appropriate Cleaning Products 144
Running an Isolation Unit 147
Chapter 10 Managing the Pharmacy 149
Administration of Medications 150
Dispensing Drugs 154
Legal Aspects of Medicines and Prescribing 158
References and Further Reading 159
Section 3 Managing the Operating Theatre 161
Chapter 11 An Introduction to Theatre Management 163
The Role of the Veterinary Nurse in Theatre 163
The Operating Room and Environment 164
Chapter 12 Preparation of the Theatre for Surgery 165
Procedure 165
Cleaning Equipment and Supplies 165
Chapter 13 Sterilising Equipment for Theatre 167
Sterilising Methods 167
Sterilising Indicator Systems 169
Chapter 14 Care of Surgical Equipment 173
Care of Surgical Instruments 173
Commonly Used Instruments 174
Care of Other Surgical Equipment 174
References and Further Reading 179
Section 4 The Operating Room – Surgical Nursing Activities 181
Introduction 181
Chapter 15 Preparation of the Patient for Surgery 183
Admission to the Hospital 183
Premedication 184
Hair Removal 184
Patient Positioning 185
Preparation of Patient’s Skin for Surgery 185
Draping the Patient 187
Chapter 16 Preparation of the Surgical Team 191
The Surgical Scrub 191
Hand Drying 191
Gowning and Gloving 192
Chapter 17 Assisting During Surgery 200
Intraoperative Care – The Scrub Nurse 200
Chapter 18 Skin Suturing Techniques 202
Suture Materials 202
Suture Needles 204
Suture Patterns 206
Chapter 19 Practical Care of Wounds 212
Classification of Wounds 212
Initial Treatment and Care of Wounds 212
Continued Management of Wounds Using Dressings and Bandages 213
Wound Breakdown and Delayed Healing 227
Chapter 20 Dentistry 229
The Veterinary Nurse’s Role 229
Common Terms and Conditions 229
Treatment of Periodontal Disease 230
Dental Chart 232
Anaesthetic Considerations 232
Personal Hygiene and Safety 232
Equipment Maintenance 233
References and Further Reading 233
Section 5 Anaesthesia 235
Introduction 235
Chapter 21 Introduction – Evaluation of the Patient 237
Laboratory Tests 237
Patient Stabilisation 237
Withdrawing Food and Water 238
Premedication 240
Intravenous Catheterisation 240
Post-Anaesthesia Recovery 241
Chapter 22 Inducing General Anaesthesia 242
Preparing Equipment 242
Induction of Anaesthesia 242
Endotracheal Intubation 243
Extubation 245
Chapter 23 Monitoring Anaesthesia 246
Completing the Anaesthetic Record 246
Monitoring Anaesthesia in Dogs and Cats 246
Monitoring Anaesthesia in Other Species 252
Anaesthetic Monitoring Aids and Equipment 253
Anaesthetic Emergencies 254
Chapter 24 The Anaesthetic Machine 255
Gas Cylinders 255
Reducing Valves/Regulators 256
Pressure/Contents Gauges 256
Emergency Oxygen Flush 256
Flow Meters (Rotameter) 256
Anaesthetic Vaporisers 257
Warning Devices 259
Carbon Dioxide Absorbers 260
Anaesthetic Scavenging Systems 261
Checking and Setting Up the Anaesthetic Machine 262
Chapter 25 Anaesthetic Breathing Systems 263
Calculating Respiratory Minute Volume 263
Checking the System for Leaks 263
Non-Rebreathing Systems 264
Rebreathing Systems 267
Humphrey Ade 269
References and Further Reading 270
Section 6 Diagnostic Imaging 271
Introduction 271
Chapter 26 Practical Radiography 273
Dangers of Radiography 273
General Safety Measures 273
Chapter 27 Selection of Exposure Factors 276
Exposure Factors 276
Exposure Calculations 277
Chapter 28 Radiographic Positioning 279
Restraint 279
Anatomical Knowledge 280
Positioning of the Animal 280
Chapter 29 The Processing of Radiographs 299
Processing Procedure 299
The Manual Processing Procedure 300
Automatic Processors 300
Film Storage 301
Film Identification 301
Chapter 30 Appraisal of the Film 303
Assessing the Quality of the Radiograph 303
Film Faults 303
Chapter 31 Contrast Studies and other Imaging Techniques 306
Positive Contrast Radiography 306
Negative Contrast Agents 307
Double Contrast Studies 307
Contrast Radiography Techniques 307
Overview of Other Imaging Techniques 311
References and Further Reading 314
Section 7 Diagnostic Tests 315
Chapter 32 Introduction – The Laboratory 317
Health and Safety 317
Using the Microscope 317
Chapter 33 Collection of Samples 323
Blood 323
Urine 325
Faeces 325
Laboratory Test Protocols 327
Chapter 34 Blood Tests 328
Haematology 328
Chapter 35 Urine Tests 335
Urine Dipstick Tests 335
Specific Gravity 335
Examination of Urinary Sediment 337
Chapter 36 Faecal Tests 339
Preparation of a Direct Faecal Smear 339
Concentration Methods for Detecting Endoparasitic Ova 340
Sedimentation and Flotation 340
McMaster Technique for Counting Worm Eggs 340
Chapter 37 Bacteriology Tests 342
Making a Bacterial Smear 342
Staining Bacterial Smears 342
Culturing Bacteria 344
Chapter 38 Dermatology Tests 347
How to find Ectoparasites 347
Examination for Ringworm 350
Preserving Skin/Hair Samples 350
Parasite Identification 352
References and Further Reading 352
Section 8 Triage and Emergency Procedures 353
Introduction 353
Chapter 39 Initial Assessment 355
Telephone Calls 355
Preparation at the Veterinary Clinic 356
Examination of the Patient on Arrival at the Clinic 356
Monitoring the Critical Care Patient 358
Chapter 40 Emergency Procedures 359
Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation 359
Resuscitation of the Neonate 360
Intravenous Catheterisation 363
The Heimlich Manoeuvre 368
Tracheotomy 369
Oxygen Therapy 371
Stomach Tubing for Gastric Dilatation 371
Chapter 41 Blood Transfusions 372
Blood Collection 372
Storage of Whole Blood and Components 374
Administration of the Blood or Components 375
Chapter 42 First Aid – The A–Z of Specific Conditions 378
Abdominal Rupture 378
Asphyxia (Suffocation) 378
Burns 379
Chemical Burns 380
Chest Wall Injuries 380
Concussion 380
Convulsions/Seizures 380
Corneal Damage 381
Dislocations/Luxations 381
Electrocution 381
Epistaxis 382
Fish-hooks 382
Flail Chest (see also Chest Wall Injuries) 382
Fractures 382
Gastric Dilatation/Volvulus (Torsion) 383
Haemorrhage 384
Heatstroke 385
Hypocalcaemia (Eclampsia, Lactation Tetany) 385
Hypoglycaemia 385
Insect Stings 386
Paraphimosis 386
Poisoning 386
Prolapsed Eyeball 388
Prolapsed Rectum 389
Ruptured Diaphragm 389
Shock 390
Spinal Injury 390
Wounds 391
References and Further Reading 391
Appendix – Calculations 392
Calculating Solutions and Drug Dose Rates 392
Calculating Anaesthetic Gas Flow Rates 393
Calculating Fluid Therapy Drip Rates 393
Calculating Calorie Requirements 394
Calculating Radiographic Exposures 394
Index 396
EULA 403

"Veterinary nurses of all levels of experience will find this
handbook invaluable in practice. This edition reflects the advances
our profession has made in recent years and will equip the reader
with the information they need to deliver nursing care of the
highest standard."

--Liz Branscombe, DipAVN(Surg) RVN

"This second edition is very timely in providing updated and
additional material in the developing field of veterinary nursing.
The Contemporary Veterinary Nursing section includes a detailed
description of the Nursing Process and a Model of Nursing Care
specific to veterinary nurses which can be used to inform the
practice of nursing described in the subsequent sections."

--Andrea Jeffery, MSc DipAVN(Surg) Cert Ed RVN