Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This is the third term of a sequence of three consecutive courses which will be taught fall, winter, and spring terms of the second year.  This course covers numerous practical aspects of surgical and medical nursing, such as first aid/CPR, electrocardiography, supportive care, diagnostic and treatment procedures, euthanasia and necropsy techniques

This is designed for second year veterinary technology students and is a graduation requirement for the Associates Degree in Applied Sciences in Veterinary Technology.  Credits in this course are not transferable to a four year school towards a baccalaureate degree.

There is no specific text required for this course, any specific reading assignments will come from the basic textbook ordered for VT 101.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Recognize and properly respond to veterinary medical emergencies.
• Apply effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques to small animal patients.
• Recognize common cardiac arhythmias via electrocardiogram. 
• Determine patient hydration status and understand fluid therapy techniques.
• Understand the steps involved in cross-matching blood for blood transfusions.
• Recognize the steps of a necropsy procedure and the protocols for submitting tissues for histopathology
• Communicate in a professional manner in all formats - written, oral, non-verbal, and electronic.
• Utilize appropriate resources for researching veterinary medical subjects, such as libraries, journal articles, textbooks, online resources and personal communications.

This course is designed to be a lecture- laboratory course.  It is a three-credit-hour course that meets for six-lecture-laboratory hours per week.

Lecture will cover first aid and CPR (and employ the "CPR Jerry" anatomical model for CPR), electrocardiography, fluid therapy, cross-matching of blood, exotic animal medicine and euthanasia.  Numerous guest lecturers will be utilized to speak on their areas of specialty, such as electrocardiography, grief counseling, and exotic animal procedures.  A field trip OSU's College of Veterinary Medicine will include participation in necropsy procedures.

Students will be required research a  topic, write a term paper, and present a 20-minute oral presentation.  The speech will include a powerpoint presentation and the speaker will allow time to address audience questions. The presentation should be no longer than 30 minutes in length.  

Deliver an effective oral presentation of a veterinary medical topic with an accompanying powerpoint presentation and written research paper.  Grades will be based on the student's understanding of the course content as demonstrated by periodic examinations, the term paper and oral presentation, performance of laboratory competencies, a comprehensive final examination, and by attendance.  To earn a passing grade, the student must attend a minimum of 80 percent of each of the lecture and lab classes.  

1.0  FIRST AID

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop the knowledge and skills to become proficient at first aid and CPR techniques.

2.0  BANDAGING AND SPLINTS

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop the skills necessary to construct and apply common splints and bandages.

3.0  ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop a basic knowledge of diagnostic and monitoring electrocardiography, and be able to recognize certain dangerous abnormal cardiac rhythms.  A guest lecturer specializing cardiology may provide this lecture. 

4.0  FLUID THERAPY

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop an understanding of the indications for fluid therapy, the methods of fluid administration, and the monitoring of patient hydration status.

5.0  EUTHANASIA

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop a knowledge of the drugs used in euthanasia, and an understanding of the psychological aspects for the patient and owners.

6.0  SPECIAL AREAS OF INTEREST IN VETERINARY MEDICINE

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The student will develop a basic knowledge of specialized veterinary fields of interest.  Guest speakers will present these topics. Topics will vary based upon speaker availability but may include cardiology, neurology, necropsy, euthanasia and grief counseling, blood transfusions, exotic animal medicine, and employment success/interview skills.

7.0  LABORATORY COMPETENCIES

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The student should demonstrate the ability to perform adequately the necessary tasks required of a veterinary technician.

• maintain emergency medical supplies/crash cart*
• perform first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (simulation acceptable)*
• use resuscitation bag*
• apply emergency splints and bandages*

8.0  Oral Presentation and Term Paper

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
Students will research an instructor-approved special topic of interest in veterinary technology utilizing available resources (such as the PCC library, journal articles, textbooks, and online  veterinary resources).  Students are required to deliver an oral presentation on their chosen subject and utilize an accompanying powerpoint presentation to enhance the speech.