VTNE Veterinary Technician National Examination Practice Questions
Prepare for VTNE with more than an answer.
- 1
While performing applanation tonometry on a Basset Hound presenting with acute blepharospasm, episcleral injection, and corneal edema, a veterinary technician records an intraocular pressure (IOP) of 48 mm Hg in the right eye (OD). Which restraint error can falsely elevate an IOP reading, and what ocular pathology does a true IOP of 48 mm Hg indicate?
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Correct answer: C
Jugular vein compression or pressure on the globe raises intraocular pressure by impeding venous return. Normal canine IOP is 10-25 mm Hg, so a true reading of 48 mm Hg indicates glaucoma, whereas uveitis lowers IOP.
- 2
An intubated 4-kg cat is maintained on isoflurane in 100% oxygen (O2) during an exploratory laparotomy. The pulse oximeter displays a strong plethysmograph waveform with an SpO2 of 98%, yet the capnograph shows the end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) rising steadily from 38 mm Hg to 65 mm Hg over 10 minutes. Why has the SpO2 remained normal despite marked hypoventilation?
flowchart TD A[Anesthetized Patient on 100% FiO2] --> B[Progressive Hypoventilation] B --> C[Alveolar CO2 Retention] C --> D[ETCO2 Rises to 65 mm Hg] B --> E[Alveolar PO2 Remains High Due to 100% O2] E --> F[SpO2 Remains >= 96%]Show answer details
Correct answer: B
Supplemental 100% oxygen keeps PaO2 high on the flat upper portion of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve, masking hypoventilation and hypercapnia on SpO2 while ETCO2 immediately reflects rising alveolar CO2.
- 3
During an orthopedic procedure in an anesthetized dog, the lingual pulse oximeter probe stops displaying an SpO2 reading. After confirming that the patient is motionless and verifying that the probe and monitor are positioned properly on an unpigmented mucosal site without equipment malfunction, which TWO actions should the technician take immediately to assess perfusion and ventilation? (Select TWO)
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Correct answer: B, D
Loss of a pulse oximetry signal when equipment issues are ruled out can indicate poor peripheral perfusion or arrest, requiring immediate pulse palpation and blood pressure assessment.
Cross-referencing ECG and capnography verifies electrical cardiac activity, pulmonary blood flow, and patent endotracheal intubation (ETCO2 >= 12 mm Hg) unaffected by motion.
- 4
A 25-kg dog is receiving lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) at a maintenance rate of 60 mL/kg/day. The veterinarian orders a metoclopramide continuous rate infusion (CRI) at 1.5 mg/kg/day to be added directly to a new 1,000-mL bag of LRS. Metoclopramide is available at a concentration of 5 mg/mL. Before adding the medication, the veterinary technician removes an equivalent volume of fluid so the final volume in the bag remains 1,000 mL. What volume of metoclopramide (5 mg/mL) must be added to the 1,000-mL bag?
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Correct answer: D
At 60 mL/kg/day, the dog receives 1,500 mL/day and 37.5 mg/day of metoclopramide. A 1,000-mL bag holds two-thirds of the daily volume (25 mg), requiring 5 mL of 5 mg/mL stock; 7.5 mL is the full 24-hour volume.
- 5
On a hospitalized patient's treatment sheet, a veterinarian writes an order to administer an ophthalmic ointment "1/4 inch strip OD q6h" and an otic medication "4 drops AU b.i.d." Based on accepted veterinary prescription abbreviations, this order instructs the technician to apply the ophthalmic ointment into the _____ four times daily and the otic drops into both ears twice daily.
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Correct answer: B
In veterinary prescription nomenclature, OD (oculus dexter) designates the right eye, whereas OS indicates the left eye, OU indicates both eyes, and AD indicates the right ear.
- 6
During routine quality assurance testing of a clinic's steam autoclave, a surgical technician places a vial containing Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores inside the center of a standard surgical pack before running a sterilization cycle. What is the specific function of this indicator, and how must its outcome be handled?
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Correct answer: C
Biological indicators containing heat-resistant spores directly confirm microbial lethality of the sterilization cycle rather than simple temperature exposure, and their results must be recorded in a log.
