Course

Skill Sheet Check-Offs

laboratory exams

you clean and disinfect the surgical suite

you inspect anesthetic machine and perform anesthetic machine leak check

you ensure there is adequate oxygen and anesthetic gas to complete the anesthetic procedure

you gather appropriate surgical attire, packs, suture, blades and other equipment as needed

you select and set-up the anesthetic machine correctly for the weight of the patient

Skill sheet check-offs

Laboratory and lecture exams

you peform physical exam prior to procedure

you gather and/or assess existing patient history from the medical record

you draw blood for preanesthetic diagnostic lab tests

you analyze diagnostic test results and inform the Veterinarian in charge of any abnormalities

you ensure food and water was withheld from the patient prior to anesthesia

you understand all aspects of patient pre-surgical evaluation including other diagnostic tests such as radiography, electrocardiography, etc...

Skill sheet check-offs

Laboratory exams

you gather all catheter supplies

you clip and prep the catheter site

you insert the IV catheter using proper technique

you tape the IV catheter in place using proper technique

you attach the IV fluids and set the drip rate

Skill sheet check-offs

Laboratory and lecture exams/quizzes

you calculate and aseptically draw into syringes the correct drug doses

you calculate the correct IV fluid drip rate

you administer the induction drug dose "to effect"

Skill sheet check-offs

Lecture and laboratory exams

you gather all endotracheal intubation supplies

you perform leak checks on all endotracheal tubes selected and record amount of air to maximum cuff inflation

you use a laryngoscope to insert the endotracheal tube within the trachea

you use a minimum of two methods to assess whether endotracheal tube is correctly placed within the trachea

you secure the endotracheal tube to the patient and attach the patient to the anesthesia machine

you inflate the endotracheal tube cuff if needed using proper technique

Skill sheet check-offs

Laboratory and lecture exams

you gather all patient prep supplies

you clip the surgical site of the patient using proper technique

you aseptically scrub the surgical site using the target method

you know the different scrub/rinse/paint combinations and how to prepare them for use on the patient

you understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various scrub/rinse/paint solutions

Skill sheet check-offs

Laboratory exams

you wear cap, mask and shoe covers

you aseptically put on surgical gown and gloves

you correctly identify all surgical instruments in the pack

you drape the patient and secure with clamps

you select and hand the requested instrument to the surgeon

you cut suture

you remove the drapes from the patient using proper technique and without contaminating the surgical site

Skill sheet check-offs

Laboratory and lecture exams/quizzes

you correctly complete the anesthetic monitoring forms

you record heart rate, respiratory rate and anesthetic gas concentration every 5 minutes

you assess eyeball position, palpebral reflex, jaw tone, CRT, muscle relaxation, pulse pressure and temperature every 5 minutes

you select, set-up and use anesthetic monitoring equipment (pulse oximeter, ultrasonic doppler and esophageal stethoscope)

you understand the stages and planes of anesthesia

you understand how the anesthetic machine operates and can operate it correctly

you can troubleshoot faulty anesthetic machine operation

Skill sheet check-offs

Laboratory and lecture exams/quizzes

you correctly set the anesthesic gas rate and oxygen flow rate for recovery of the patient

you correctly assess when to extubate the patient

you extubate the patient using proper technique

you remove the IV fluid line and IV catheter after extubation

you complete the post-operative recovery form, including patient vital signs

you transfer patient to ready recovery cage (heating pad and towel if needed)

you evaluate patient for pain

you monitor surgical site for swelling, redness, hemorrhage, discharge and dehiscence

you evaluate patient for adequate nutrition

Skill sheet check-offs

Laboratory and lecture exams/quizzes

you perform a post-surgical physical exam day 1, day 3 and day 6 post-operatively

you assess the post-surgical patient for signs of pain

you monitor the surgical incision for heat, swelling, redness, discharge and dehiscence for 1 week post-operatively

you remove sutures or staples in 10-14 days

you record physical exam and suture line findings in the medical record

you report any abnormalities to the veterinarian-in-charge

Skill sheet check-offs

Laboratory and lecture exams

you make an instrument pack

you make a drape pack

you make a gown pack

you correctly identify by name and in writing all surgical instruments

you correctly identify various types of suture

you know the advantages and disadvantages of various types of suture

you can identify absorbable and nonabsorbable types of suture

you correctly identify surgical blades

Skill sheet check-offs

Laboratory and lecture exams/quizzes

you clean and disinfect surgical suite post-operatively

you clean and sterilize instruments

you clean and disinfect endotracheal tubes, rebreathing bags and breathing hoses

you inspect equipment for defects/problems/malfunction

you understand autoclave machine operation

you package gauze and/or instruments in peel-packs for ethylene oxide sterilization

you understand the various methods of sterilization

you identify and understand the differences between the antiseptics and disinfectants used

Lecture exams

you understand how canine ovariohysterectomy and castration are performed and the indications for each

you understand how feline ovariohysterectomy, castration and declaw are performed and the indications for each

you understand small animal cesarean section

you understand small animal cystotomy and feline perineal urethrostomy and the indications for each

you understand pyometra

you understand tail docking and puppy dewclaw removal