First Aid

Question 1

Aims of first aid

Answer 1

• to preserve life
  -to prevent suffering
• to prevent a situation from deteriorating

Question 2

what is first aid?

Answer 2

the immediate treatment of injured animals of those suffering from sudden illness

Question 3

who can administer first aid and who governs this

Answer 3

administer - everyone

govern - vets

Question 4

legislation relevant to first aid

Answer 4

veterinary surgeons act 1966
welfare act 2006

Question 5

what is not first aid

Answer 5

first aid provision is not the same as a diagnosis

it is not the administration of emergency vet treatment

Question 6

personnel roles

Answer 6

vet surgeon
vet nurse
student vet nurse
receptionist
pet owner
member of the public

Question 7

emergencies

Answer 7

RCVS requirements

24 hour cover
collaborations between vet practices

Question 8

Emergency cover

Answer 8

emergency cover is defined in the RCVS guide is to professional conduct as

the provision of immediate first aid and pain relief to deal promptly with emergencies

Question 9

Dealing with emergencies

Answer 9

successful outcome depends on:
-early recognition of the severity and nature of the problem

• good communication with the owner and other members of the team
• implementation of appropriate treatment
• careful and diligent monitoring

Question 10

types of emergency

Answer 10

wide range of emergency conditions that can occur; one of the main duties of a VN is to triage the patients to determine the type and severity of emergency

Question 11

Triage

Answer 11

a process of prioritising patients based on the severity of their condition

Question 12

emergencies in 3 groups

Answer 12

life threatening

require urgent attention

Minor Emergencies

Question 13

emergency - life threatening

Answer 13

• involve significant disturbances in the major body systems where there is potential for rapid deterioration and death
• usually require first aid to maintain life.
• Rapid response is vital - therefore essential that you can identify a life - threatening emergency

Question 14

Life threatening emergencies

Answer 14

-unconciousness
-poising
-severe RTAS
- haemorrhage
-CR Arrest
-electrocution
- severe burns

Question 15

Emergency - RUA (require urgent attention)

Answer 15

• condition not likely to cease life soon

-condition may become life threatening if left untreated or if treatment delayed

• require vet attention ASAP - either due to impending LTE or patient pain/discomfort

Question 16

RUA Emergency

Answer 16

Dyspnoea
Fractures
Dislocations
gasping wounds
Dystocia
Conscious collapse
anuria

Question 17

Minor Emergencies

Answer 17

• Animals may need veterinary attention on an emergency basis, but evaluation and treatment can be delayed
• condition not life threatening
• prioritised on level of patient discomfort

Question 18

Minor Emergencies

Answer 18

lameness
minor wounds
stings/bites
foreign bodies - eyes
minor burns

Question 19

Telephone Calls

Answer 19

most emergencies will start at call
nurse requirements
-excellent communication skills
- calm the distressed owner
-sympathetic
-appropriate questioning
-extrapolate maximum useful information
-determine class of emergency

Question 20

Telephone calls

Answer 20

-providing/obtaining info can be very difficult
-owners interpretation can be misleading
-try to speak to someone who was present at time of incident
-second hand info can be incorrect and waste time

Question 21

Gathering info

Answer 21

Who? - owner details
What? - what type of animal is it?
How? - how was the animal injured
When? - when did it happen ?
Where? - where did the incident happen ?

Question 22

Non - Emergencies

Answer 22

• if condition not emergency - further questioning needed to determine if animals needs to be seen immediately or if an appointment can be made
• some conditions need to be seen as soon as is possible where as others can be left until later in day or even the next day