Veterinary Assistant Professional Credential EXAM STUDY GUIDE © 2017 National Workforce Career Association, Inc. (NWCA & NWCA.org) All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from NWCA or an authorized agent of NWCA is strictly prohibited. NWCA Study Guide – Veterinary Assistant Version 6.1.17 Professional Credential Credential Title Veterinary Assistant (VET) Purpose of Credential The Veterinary Assistant credential documents the essential competencies for general front office, clinical, nursing care, and animal management procedures required of the veterinary assistant. Audience for Credential This credential is appropriate for a veterinary assistant in the daily operations of a veterinary practice, research laboratory where animals are kept, animal hospital, equine barn, farm or ranch, animal shelter, kennel or animal day care, or other environment where animals are kept and cared for. Job/Career Requirements Veterinary assistants support veterinarians and veterinary technicians in many tasks. They may be involved in overall veterinary practice office operations, procedures related to diagnostic imaging and treatment of animals, procedures involving animal care and husbandry, and procedures for veterinary nursing and emergency care. Most workers enter the occupation have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Though veterinary assistants can be trained on the job, many employers prefer that they have completed a formal training program and have experience working with animals. Successful veterinary assistant demonstrate compassion to both animals and their owners, are detailed oriented, and have physical strength and dexterity. Though they may not be allowed to complete all of the procedures independently, they must understand many anatomy, physiology, and veterinary medicine concepts and be able to assist when asked in a safe and competent manner. Depending upon the specific work environment, veterinary assistants must understand animal care for dogs, cats, equine, livestock, companion birds, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, wild orphaned or injured animals, and laboratory animals. Veterinary Assistant Tasks Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians when asked and as directed in animal care and management Feed, bathe, and exercise all types of animals Clean and disinfect cages, kennels, stalls, examination and operating rooms, and other areas Restrain animals during examination and laboratory procedures Maintain and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment NWCA Study Guide Page 1 NWCA.VET NWCA Study Guide – Veterinary Assistant Version 6.1.17 Professional Credential Maintain supply and retail inventories Monitor and care for animals before and after surgery or other medical procedures Help provide emergency first aid to sick and injured animals, including wild animals Give medication or immunizations prescribed by the veterinarian and under a veterinarian’s direct supervision Assist in collection of blood, urine, and tissue samples Take vital signs of animals Transport animals to and from treatment areas Exam Structure Overview Number of Questions in Exam: 400 Sections in the Exam: Veterinary Medical Terminology – 176 items Veterinary Practice and Nursing Care – 224 items Total Time: 220 minutes Overall Passing Score: 70% (All sections require an individual passing score of 70%) NWCA Study Guide Page 2 NWCA.VET NWCA Study Guide – Veterinary Assistant Version 6.1.17 Professional Credential Study Outline Veterinary Medical Terminology Professionals use veterinary medical terminology their jobs must understand the fundamental concepts including how to dissect a medical term, terminology related to the cellular level of an animal, and name terminology for different animals. Additionally, these professionals must understand different body system terminology, such as the cardiovascular system, the digestive system, and the respiratory system, among others. Concepts related pharmacology and surgical terminology are also important for many professionals. Finally, many jobs require an understanding of terminology for specific animal groups. Medical Terminology Fundamentals Objective: Explain how to dissect a medical term into its word root, prefix, suffix, and combining form Define veterinary medical terms used to describe direction, surface, planes, cavities, membranes, positions, movement at joints, and numbers Define veterinary medical terms used to describe the cell, cellular organelles, genetic conditions, and tissues Define veterinary terms used to name equine, cattle, goats, sheep, swine, dogs, and cats 1. Dissecting Medical Terms a. Roots i. Definition of a Root ii. Examples of Roots b. Prefix i. Definition of a Prefix ii. Examples of Prefixes 1. Function of Contrasting Prefixes 2. Function of Directional Prefixes c. Suffix i. Definition of a Suffix ii. Examples of Suffixes 1. Function of Pertaining To Suffixes 2. Function of Surgical Suffixes 3. Function of Procedural Suffixes 4. Function of Double R Suffixes 5. Function of Conditional Suffixes 6. Function of Structural Suffixes d. Combining Vowels i. Definition NWCA Study Guide Page 3 NWCA.VET NWCA Study Guide – Veterinary Assistant Version 6.1.17 Professional Credential ii. Examples of Combining Vowels e. Combining Form i. Definition of a Combining Form ii. Examples of Combining Forms f. Process for Analyzing Medical Terms i. Importance of Dissecting ii. Importance of Beginning at the End iii. Importance of Anatomical Order 2. General Veterinary Medical Terms a. Positional Terms i. Definition of Direction ii. Definition of Surface iii. Examples 1. Ventral 2. Dorsal 3. Cranial 4. Caudal 5. Anterior 6. Posterior 7. Rostral 8. Cephalic 9. Caudal 10. Medial 11. Lateral 12. Superior 13. Inferior 14. Proximal 15. Distal 16. Superficial 17. Deep 18. Palmar 19. Plantar b. Plane Terms i. Definition of a Plane ii. Examples 1. Midsagittal Plane 2. Sagittal Plane 3. Dorsal Plane 4. Transverse Plane a. Horizontal Plane b. Cross-Sectional Plane c. Cavity Terms i. Definition of a Cavity NWCA Study Guide Page 4 NWCA.VET NWCA Study Guide – Veterinary Assistant Version 6.1.17 Professional Credential ii. Examples 1. Cranial Cavity 2. Spinal Cavity 3. Thoracic Cavity 4. Abdominal Cavity 5. Peritoneal Cavity 6. Pelvic Cavity iii. Regional Terms 1. Abdomen 2. Thorax 3. Groin d. Membrane Terms i. Definition of a Membrane ii. Examples 1. Peritoneum 2. Parietal Peritoneum 3. Visceral Peritoneum 4. Umbilicus 5. Mesentery 6. Retroperitoneal e. Recumbent Terms i. Definition of Recumbent ii. Examples 1. Dorsal Recumbency 2. Ventral Recumbency 3. Left Lateral Recumbency 4. Right Lateral Recumbency f. Movement Terms i. Effects of Changing Prefixes or Suffixes ii. Examples 1. Adduction vs. Abduction 2. Flexion vs. Extension 3. Hyperflexion vs. Hyperextension 4. Supination vs. Pronation g. Terms with a Number Value i. Importance of the Use of Prefixes ii. Examples 1. Uni- 2. Duo- or Bi- 3. Tri- 4. Quadri- or Quadro- 5. Quinqu- or Quint- 6. Sex- NWCA Study Guide Page 5 NWCA.VET NWCA Study Guide – Veterinary Assistant Version 6.1.17 Professional Credential 7. Sept- or Septi- 8. Octo- 9. Novem- or Nonus- 10. Deca- or Decem- 3. Veterinary Medical Terms at the Cellular Level a. Importance of Cells i. Definition of Cytology ii. Definition of the Protoplasm 1. Importance of the Cell Membrane 2. Importance of the Cytoplasm a. Function of the Nucleolus b. Function of the Centrioles c. Function of the Mitochondria d. Function of the Golgi Apparatus e. Function of the Endoplasmic Reticulum f. Function of the Ribosomes g. Function of the Vacuoles h. Function of the Lysosomes 3. Importance of the Nucleus a. Function of the Nucleoplasm b. Function of the Chromosomes b. Genetic Conditions i. Definition of a Genetic Disorder ii. Definition of Congenital iii. Definition of an Anomaly c. Importance of Tissues i. Definition of Tissue ii. Definition of Histology iii. Types of Tissues 1. Epithelial a. Definition b. Endothelium c. Mesothelium 2. Connective a. Definition b. Adipose Tissue 3. Muscle 4. Nervous iv. Formation of Tissue 1. Importance of the Suffix –Plasia 2. Importance of the Suffix –Trophy 3. Problems with Tissue Formation a. Anaplasia NWCA Study Guide Page 6 NWCA.VET NWCA Study Guide – Veterinary Assistant Version 6.1.17 Professional Credential b. Aplasia c. Dysplasia d. Hyperplasia e. Hypoplasia f. Neoplasia i. Function of Benign Tumors ii. Function of Malignant Tumors g. Atrophy h. Dystrophy i. Hypertrophy v. Importance of Glands 1. Exocrine Glands 2. Endocrine Glands 4. Veterinary Terminology for Equine Species a. Anatomical Terminology i. Parts of the Head 1. Muzzle 2. Forelock 3. Poll 4. Crest 5. Cheek 6. Mane 7. Corners 8. Nippers ii. Parts of the Main Body Cavity 1. Withers 2. Shoulder 3. Chest 4. Teat 5. Udder 6. Heart Girth 7. Barrel 8. Flank 9. Loin 10. Paralumbar Fossa 11. Croup 12. Tail Head 13. Tail 14. Dock iii. Parts of the Leg 1. Elbow 2. Stifle Joint 3. Knee NWCA Study Guide Page 7 NWCA.VET NWCA Study Guide – Veterinary Assistant Version 6.1.17 Professional Credential 4. Chestnut 5. Cannon Bone 6. Fetlock Joint 7. Ergot 8. Hoof 9. Gaskin 10. Hock 11. Pastern Joint 12. Coronary Band 13. Coffin Joint iv. Parts of the Hoof 1. Hoof Wall 2. Heel 3. Quarter 4. Toe 5. Bars 6. Sole 7. White Line 8. Frog b. Descriptive Terminology i. Stallion ii. Colt iii. Mare iv. Filly v. Gelding vi. Ridgeling vii. Foal viii. Weaning ix. Suckling x. Yearling xi. Foaling xii. Herd xiii. Band xiv. Brood Mare xv. Maiden Mare xvi. Barren Mare xvii. Wet Mare xviii. Agalactic Mare xix. Pony 5. Veterinary Terminology for Cattle a. Anatomical Terminology i. Parts of the Head 1. Muzzle NWCA Study Guide Page 8 NWCA.VET NWCA Study Guide – Veterinary Assistant Version 6.1.17 Professional Credential 2. Forehead 3. Poll 4. Crest ii. Parts of the Main Body 1. Shoulder 2. Dewlap 3. Brisket 4. Flank 5. Heart Girth 6. Barrel 7. Loin 8. Paralumbar Fossa 9. Hooks 10. Stifle Joint 11. Udder 12. Quarter 13. Teat 14. Tail 15. Tail Head 16. Pin 17. Switch 18. Dock iii. Parts of the Leg 1. Elbow 2. Knee 3. Forearm 4. Cannon Bone 5. Hock 6. Fetlock Joint 7. Coffin Joint 8.