VTHT 1441 – ANESTHESIA & SURGICAL ASSISTANCE
COURSE INFORMATION & SYLLABUS
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides an in-depth application of surgical, obstetrical, and
anesthetic techniques including identification and use of instruments and equipment. The student will
learn to identify instruments used in veterinary surgery, demonstrate operation room etiquette and the
use of sterile technique, perform pre-anesthetic evaluation, administer and monitor anesthesia,
calculate medications and fluids needed, provide post-anesthetic and post-surgical care, recognize and
respond appropriately to anesthetic emergencies, and assist with routine surgical procedures.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
Thomas, John A. and Lerche, Phillip, Anesthesia and Analgesia for Veterinary Technicians, 4th Edition,
Mosby 2011
McCurnin, Dennis M. and Bassert, Joanna M. Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, 7th Edition,
Elsevier, Inc 2010
GRADING: Grades will come from tests, Quizzes/Homework/other assignments, and surgical Rotations
in second term. The categories are not weighted, but based on a point system. Performance in
Husbandry and attendance will add or subtract a percentage from the student’s final average.
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All tests and quizzes are unannounced. Be prepared every day.
There will be no make-ups for homework/ quizzes and no make-ups for missed days in the 2nd
term surgical rotations.
Missed Tests: In the event that a student has documentation of an extenuating circumstance
(e.g. death in the immediate family, hospitalization of student or student’s child, court ordered
engagement. This does not include routine doctor’s appointments, vacations, etc.) missed tests
may be able to be made up at the discretion of the instructor(s). All make-up tests will receive a
15% deduction and will be given at a time and date determined by the instructor(s). The makeup “test” may be in the form of a paper, case study, or other project.
Late homework assignments will not be accepted and a grade of “0” will be given.
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Tardies/Absences: Students are allowed 4 class absences in a 16 week course. All absences
beyond this will count negatively toward the student’s final average. *NOTE: the surgery class is
2 class periods/day during the 1st semester and 3-4 class periods/day during the 2nd semester. A
tardy will be recorded for students arriving to class between 1-15 minutes late. THREE TARDIES
= 1 ABSENCE. An absence will be recorded for arrival to class more than 15 minutes late.
Excessive absences (5 or more) will result in a penalty to the final average in the course. See the
attendance policy provided for explanation of percent penalty given for absences and
information on extenuating circumstances.
CLASSROOM CONDUCT:
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No sleeping in class
No food or drinks, with the exception of bottled water
No cell phone use in class unless permitted by the instructor(s)
Use of laptop computers is for note-taking or following power point presentations ONLY
Appropriate school dress will be worn at all times
Respect for classmates’ questions and opinions is required
Remain positive, do your best everyday
STUDENTS IN VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE ABOVE RULES MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE AND
WILL RECEIVE AN ABSENCE FOR THAT CLASS PERIOD.
**TOPIC OUTLINE:
WEEK 1 - The pre-anesthetic period and pre-anesthetic agents
Learning Objectives:
a. Define the term pre-anesthetic period
b. Discuss the reasons for a pre-operative patient exam
c. Discuss the need for obtaining a proper history, know what questions should be included in
the history and what pitfalls may be encountered when taking a history
d. Discuss the rationale for obtaining an owner’s consent for anesthesia
e. Describe the components of pre-anesthetic preparation, including diagnostic tests
f. List the reasons why an IV catheter is advised
g. Describe the types of fluids that can be used and why
h. Define anesthesia, and differentiate topical, local, regional, general, and surgical anesthesia
i. Differentiate sedation, tranquilization, hypnosis, an d narcosis
j. Explain the concept of balanced anesthesia and the advantages of this approach
k. List common indications for anesthesia
l. Explain the considerations for choosing certain drugs to be used
m. List the pre-anesthetic agents in common use, the reasons for their use, their mode of
action and effects on the body, and their potential adverse effects.
WEEK 2 - Induction agents and techniques, endotracheal intubation, stages and planes of anesthesia
Learning Objectives:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Define and explain terms related to general anesthesia
Identify and describe the components of general anesthesia
Describe the technique of endotracheal intubation
Discuss the difference between IV, IM, & inhalation anesthetics
Define terms associated with inhalant and injectable anesthetics
Describe the advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of inhalation and
injectable anesthetics
g. Describe the uptake, distribution, and elimination of commonly used inhalation and
injectable anesthetic agents
h. Describe the stages and planes of anesthesia and be able to use the patient’s behavior and
vital signs to place them in the appropriate category.
WEEK 3 – Patient monitoring, anesthetic equipment
Learning Objectives:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
Discuss the importance of monitoring the patient
Describe appropriate ways to position an animal during anesthesia
Know how to monitor vital signs with and without instrumentation
Be familiar with monitoring equipment, how to attach it to the patient, and how to interpret
normal vs. abnormal values.
Explain the concept of patient safety as it relates to general anesthesia
Define terms associated with the anesthesia machine
Describe the function of each component of an anesthetic machine
Trace a flow of oxygen through an anesthetic machine to the patient
Discuss re-breathing and non-re-breathing systems
Discuss the difference between precision and non-precision vaporizers
Discuss the differences between high flow anesthesia and low flow anesthesia
Explain the procedure to prepare an anesthetic machine for use
Describe the proper maintenance procedures for the anesthetic machine
Identify anesthetic machine parts and their function.
WEEK 4 – Patient factors affecting anesthesia, anesthetic problems and emergencies, ventilation
Learning Objectives:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
List some common reasons for anesthetic emergencies
Describe the role of the veterinary technician in response to emergency situations
Know factors that increase anesthetic risk
List common problems that may arise in the recovery situation
List the drugs that are essential in an emergency kit
List other supplies that may be needed
Demonstrate CPR
Explain the difference between assisted and controlled ventilation
i.
Describe the techniques of manual and mechanical ventilation and their application to feline
and canine anesthesia
WEEK 5-6 – Pain management, special techniques, surgical procedures
Learning Objectives:
a. List and define the terms associated with analgesia
b. Differentiate between the various types of pain and be able to explain the pain pathway.
c. List changes in behavior and vital signs that may be exhibited by animals with different degrees
of pain
d. Describe the routes by which analgesia can be provided and appropriate situations in which to
use each route
e. Describe nursing care that helps to relieve discomfort in hospitalized patients
f. Explain the mode of action of opioid drugs and of nonsteroidal analgesic drugs
g. List the adverse effects associated with the use of morphine and other opioids
h. Describe the risk and benefits of epidural morphine administration
i. Describe the proper procedure for applying a Fentanyl patch
j. List the beneficial properties and potential toxic effects of NAIDS
k. List the benefits and some examples of combination analgesic therapy
l. Describe ways of providing analgesia for outpatients
m. List and define the terms associated with local anesthesia
n. List the advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of local anesthetics
o. Describe the different ways in which local anesthetic agents may be used
p. Discuss and be able to perform techniques of different analgesic blocks and list situations when
they may be used
q. Understand the risks involved and adverse effects that may be seen with local anesthetics
r. Properly position and drape the surgical patient
s. Understand proper handling of instrumentation and tissues
t. List different techniques of hemostasis
u. Describe irrigation/suctioning/drains
v. Discuss reasons for prophylactic antibiotics
w. Understand the need for monitoring blood loss, hypothermia, and pain and how to manage
each
x. Know what to look for in post-surgical incision care, bandage care, and drain care and how to
restrain an animal post-operatively
y. Know the difference between elective and nonelective surgeries
z. Discuss the definitions , indications, preoperative/intraoperative/postoperative considerations
and techniques of commonly performed surgical procedures
WEEK 7-8 Instruments, folding/wrapping packs, job duties, rules of surgery,
Scrubbing/gowning/gloving, Aseptic technique, principles of suturing and suture material
Learning Objectives:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
Properly identify necessary surgical instruments and by name and know the proper uses of each
Learn how to properly wrap surgical packs and sterilize instrumentals and equipment
Understand aseptic technique
Learn how to prepare the operating room and patient for surgery
Describe and demonstrate scrubbing, gowning, gloving, and draping
Be able to fold gowns, drapes and properly set up the surgical suite
List qualities of the ideal suture
Understand suture nomenclature
Define and identify absorbable and non-absorbable suture material, lists examples of each and
know what situations require their use
j. Understand suture sizes, strengths, and needle variations
k. Learn common suture patterns and how to place them, and the appropriate time to use each.
WEEK 9-16 – Surgical rotations
**This schedule is subject to change
INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFO:
Dr. Dev Anand, DVM (Dr. Dev )
Email: robertawestbrook@yahoo.com or via engrade
Advisory hours: TBA
Mr. Ryan Kutzler, RVT
Email: rfkutzler@yahoo.com or via engrade
Cell phone: 281-844-6462
Advisory hours: TBA
I, ___________________________________________ (student name) have read and understand
the policies and procedures pertaining to the VTHT 1441 Anesthesia and Surgical Assistance course. I
also understand that not abiding by these rules may result in disciplinary action including, but not
limited to dismissal from the classroom, private meeting with the instructor(s), meeting with the
program director, or reduction of my grade in this course.
Student signature
Date