VTNE Plan

Animal Care and Nursing: practice questions

3 original questions · 3 editor-approved · every choice explained.

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Blueprint-mapped questions with full rationales for every choice.

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Animal Care and NursingDifficulty 3/5

A hospitalised dog on intravenous fluids develops chemosis, clear nasal discharge and increased respiratory effort. What do these findings together suggest?

  1. AOver-hydration requiring reassessment of the fluid rate with the veterinarian
  2. BAn upper respiratory infection requiring isolation from other patients
  3. CAn allergic reaction requiring antihistamines and close observation
  4. DDehydration requiring an increase in the intravenous fluid rate
Show answer and rationale

Correct: A. Chemosis, serous nasal discharge and increased respiratory effort in a patient receiving fluids is the classic triad of volume overload. The rate must be reassessed rather than increased.

  • D — Dehydration presents with tacky membranes and reduced skin turgor, not chemosis.
  • B — An infectious cause would not appear acutely alongside fluid administration.
  • C — Allergic reactions typically show facial swelling, urticaria or pruritus.
Animal Care and NursingDifficulty 2/5

A bandage placed yesterday is now associated with swollen digits below it. What is the correct action?

  1. AAdd another layer of padding over the bandage to cushion the limb
  2. BRemove the bandage, assess the limb and report the findings
  3. CElevate the limb and recheck the digits in another four hours
  4. DLoosen the outer layer only and leave the inner layers in place
Show answer and rationale

Correct: B. Swelling distal to a bandage indicates compromised circulation. The bandage is removed and the limb assessed; reinforcing, waiting or partially loosening all leave the constriction in place.

  • A — Adding layers increases pressure and worsens the problem.
  • C — Waiting risks tissue damage from continued compromise.
  • D — The constriction is usually in the inner layers, which would remain.
Animal Care and NursingDifficulty 2/5

Which practice best limits transmission when nursing a patient with suspected infectious diarrhoea?

  1. AUse standard precautions only, because most diarrhoea is non-infectious
  2. BHouse the patient in the main ward but at the far end of the run of cages
  3. CTreat the patient last on rounds, using dedicated barrier equipment and supplies
  4. DTreat the patient first so that the ward can be cleaned afterwards each day
Show answer and rationale

Correct: C. Barrier nursing with dedicated equipment and handling the isolated patient last in the rounds order limits transmission to other patients. Distance within a shared ward is not isolation.

  • D — Treating first spreads pathogens to every patient handled afterwards.
  • A — Suspected infectious diarrhoea warrants more than standard precautions.
  • B — Sharing airspace and equipment in one ward is not isolation.

Primary references

  1. VTNE Candidate Information Handbook — American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) · primary · retrieved 2026-09-22, verified 2026-09-22