Australasian Veterinary Examination, formerly the National Veterinary Examination General Veterinary Surgery: practice questions

1 · Wounds · medium

An elective ovariohysterectomy in which the uterus is entered without spillage, in a healthy bitch, is classified as which surgical wound class?

1. Clean-contaminated
2. Clean
3. Contaminated
4. Dirty

2 · Wounds · medium

A dog bitten by a larger dog has two small skin punctures on the thorax. What is the most appropriate approach?

1. Clean the punctures and suture them closed immediately
2. Explore the wound under anaesthesia because deep crushing and tearing may lie under small punctures
3. Apply topical antiseptic only, since small skin wounds usually heal without exploration
4. Give systemic antimicrobials and avoid surgical exploration, which would spread infection into deeper tissue

3 · Wound healing · medium

The general rule for immobilising a long-bone fracture with external coaptation is to include:

1. Only the fractured bone
2. Only the joint below the fracture
3. The joint above and the joint below the fracture
4. The whole limb and the opposite limb, to prevent weight-bearing

4 · Asepsis · medium

A chemical indicator tape on the outside of a sterilised pack has changed colour. This shows that:

1. The contents are proven sterile
2. Spores inside the pack were killed
3. The pack was exposed to a sterilising process, not that its contents are sterile
4. The pack can be stored indefinitely on an open shelf, regardless of later damage or moisture

5 · Suture materials · medium

For suturing intestine, the needle of choice is usually:

1. Reverse cutting (triangular)
2. Conventional cutting
3. Taper-point
4. Blunt-point spatula

6 · Suture patterns · medium

A dog with rectal prolapse has the prolapse reduced. Which suture is placed around the anus to prevent recurrence?

1. A Lembert suture through the anal sphincter
2. A Connell suture through the rectal wall
3. A vertical mattress suture pattern closing the anus
4. A purse-string suture, loose enough to allow defecation

7 · Tumours · medium

Canine transmissible venereal tumour is usually treated with:

1. Wide surgical excision alone
2. Radiotherapy only
3. No treatment; it always regresses in days
4. Chemotherapy with vincristine

8 · Fluid therapy in surgical patients · medium

A 20 kg dog is estimated 8% dehydrated. What is its fluid deficit?

1. 160 mL
2. 16 L
3. 2.5 L
4. 1.6 L

9 · Fluid therapy in surgical patients · medium

Which fluid is preferred to correct hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis in a cow with abomasal displacement or a dog with pyloric obstruction?

1. 0.9% sodium chloride
2. 5% dextrose in water (D5W)
3. Sodium bicarbonate solution
4. Lactated Ringer's solution