National Veterinary Examination General Veterinary Surgery: practice questions

1 · 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

2 · 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

3 · Suture patterns · easy

Which knot is prone to slipping and should not be used in surgery?

1. Square knot
2. Granny knot
3. Surgeon's knot
4. Instrument-tied square knot

4 · Haemorrhage and haemostasis · easy

Which topical agent stops bleeding from cut bone but can delay bone healing?

1. Gelatin sponge
2. Silver nitrate
3. Oxidised regenerated cellulose
4. Bone wax

5 · Shock · easy

Shock caused by gastric dilatation-volvulus compressing the caudal vena cava is classified as:

1. Obstructive shock
2. Cardiogenic shock
3. Neurogenic shock
4. Anaphylactic shock

6 · Shock · easy

Normal urine output in a well-perfused dog or cat is about:

1. 0.1 mL/kg/h
2. 10 to 20 mL/kg/h
3. 1 to 2 mL/kg/h
4. 50 mL/kg/h

7 · Tumours · medium

Squamous cell carcinoma of the eye is most common in:

1. Black-faced sheep kept indoors, with heavily pigmented skin around the eyes
2. Cattle with unpigmented skin around the eyes exposed to strong sunlight
3. Pigs raised on concrete
4. Dogs with dark-pigmented eyelids

8 · 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

9 · 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

10 · Fluid therapy in surgical patients · easy

Clinical signs of fluid overload include:

1. Sunken eyes, skin tenting and a rapid, thready pulse
2. Serous nasal discharge, chemosis and increased respiratory rate
3. Dry mucous membranes, weak pulses and a prolonged capillary refill time
4. Bradycardia and hypothermia only