Course description
This course covers the practical application of surgical nursing, including performing a sterile scrub, gowning and gloving, and assisting during a live animal elective surgery. Additional topics include common veterinary surgeries, suturing and principles of wound management. In addition, students continue to develop their anesthesia skills by participating in live animal anesthesia.
Course content
Surgical instrumentation and equipment
- autoclave operation
- care and maintenance of instruments
- preparation of sterile surgical packs, surgical drapes and gowns
Surgical assistance
- preparation, cleaning and disinfection of the surgical suite
- appropriate surgical suite conduct (sterile and non-sterile personnel)
- sterile opening and handling of instrument and suture packs and gowns
- scrubbing, gowning and sterile gloving
- sterile draping techniques
- handling and passing of instruments and suture during surgery
- care of exposed tissues
- surgical reports
Care of the surgical patient
- clipping, cleaning and surgical preparation of skin
- patient positioning for surgery
- patient identification
Wounds
- wound healing and repair
- methods of wound care, including management of abscesses
- suture materials, needles and wound closure techniques
Elective and non-elective surgeries
- surgical technique, equipment requirements and patient preparation for common veterinary surgeries
- species differences in ovariohysterectomy and castration surgical techniques (dog, cat, rabbit, equine, ruminant)
Patient preparation for anesthesia and surgery
- patient wellness procedures including physical examination
- blood and urine collection, analysis of blood and urine samples and lab equipment operation
- medical record-keeping, reception procedures, patient admission and discharge
Anesthesia
- anesthetic protocols for pre-medication, induction, maintenance and recovery
- administration, maintenance and monitoring of anesthesia
- medical record-keeping
- patient support during anesthesia
- anesthetic delivery and monitoring equipment
Learning activities
Learning activities may include lecture, workshops, online quizzes, pre-lab videos, group work, simulations (using models, including cadavers), live animal labs and practical skills evaluations.
Means of assessment
Assessments will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.
In order to achieve a grade of C (or higher) in the course, students must:
- achieve a final minimum grade of 60% in each of the lecture and lab components
- demonstrate competency (a performance of 60% or higher) in an evaluation of each of the assigned essential skills
- attend a minimum of 80% of the scheduled labs
Evaluation will be based on:
Lab evaluations: 40-60% (no single evaluation worth more than 20%)
Assignments: 10-30%
Quizzes: 5-20% (no single quiz worth more than 5%)
Term test(s): 0-20%
Final examination(s): 20-40%
Total: 100%
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- safely and competently perform dog and cat essential skills designated by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association;
- wrap and sterilize surgical drapes, towels and gowns for small animal surgery;
- clean, lubricate and maintain surgical instruments and equipment, and prepare sterile surgical packs;
- perform proper pre-operative surgical suite preparation and post-operative cleaning;
- prepare to assist with surgery (hand scrub, gown and glove);
- assist a surgeon with surgery including sterile draping, passing instruments and care of exposed tissues;
- prepare a patient for surgery;
- perform patient identification (microchip placement);
- describe suture materials, surgical needles and suture patterns and their uses;
- perform basic suturing techniques;
- discuss the indications and surgical techniques for common veterinary surgeries;
- describe patient, instrument and equipment preparation for common veterinary surgeries;
- describe post-operative care requirements for different surgeries;
- describe different types of wound, wound healing and wound management and identify unhealthy wounds;
- discuss the pharmacology of anesthetic and analgesic drugs, and recognize the effects and side effects of drugs when used in live animals;
- calculate sedative, anesthetic and analgesic drug dosages;
- prepare a dog or cat for anesthesia and for surgery;
- use clinical signs and monitoring equipment to monitor patient status in all stages of anesthesia;
- set up, maintain, operate and troubleshoot anesthetic delivery and monitoring equipment;
- troubleshoot changes in patient vital signs during anesthesia and implement authorized treatments;
- identify anesthetic emergencies, discuss the use of emergency drugs and equipment and implement authorized treatments.
Textbook materials
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
- J.M. Bassert, A.D. Beal and O.M. Samples. (Current Edition). McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. Pub Elsevier.