ATE 2631 - Animal Nursing

School of Veterinary Technology

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2025 (655)

Requisites

Admission to Veterinary Technology (Associate in Science) (VETTC-AS)

Course Description

This course is a study of the technical skills of hospital maintenance and disinfection; general patient care; clinical nutrition; medicating animals; exam room techniques; diagnostic imaging including radiography, ultrasonography and endoscopy; zoonotic diseases; and human health hazards associated with veterinary medicine.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will examine safety in the veterinary hospital by:
    1. explaining the role of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in hospital safety.
    2. differentiating the roles of hospital owners and employees in creating a safe hospital environment.
    3. describing how to recognize, prevent, and correct hospital hazards: chemical, physical interaction, and zoonotic disease.
  2. The student will explain concepts of cleaning and disinfection within the veterinary hospital by:
    1. differentiating between cleaning and disinfection.
    2. outlining the procedures to clean and disinfect a veterinary hospital and equipment effectively.
    3. interpreting information about a chemical’s use and safety from its Material Safety and Data Sheet.
    4. demonstrating proper cleaning and disinfection procedures for the veterinary hospital.
  3. The student will analyze patient data to evaluate and meet small animal patients’ individual needs by:
    1. discussing how to accurately obtain and record a complete history from a client.
    2. describing how to properly perform and record a patient’s physical examination.
    3. determining appropriate technician evaluations and interventions for a patient based on all data obtained from a history and physical examination.
    4. describing how to maintain a patient’s Five Freedoms during hospitalization.
    5. differentiating the types of care needed for patients based on their life stages, lifestyles, and health status.
    6. describing the procedures for basic patient care-giving, including the equipment needed and any contraindications and complications.
  4. The student will discuss small animal medication preparation, administration, and recording by:
    1. differentiating between medication administration routes, including indications, contraindications, and complications.
    2. choosing a medication administration route based on patient data and health status.
    3. describing the correct procedure to prepare and administer medication using each route, including the proper equipment needed and how to ensure employee and patient safety as well as patient comfort.
    4. calculating the accurate dose of medication to administer.
    5. demonstrating how to properly record medication administration in the patient’s medical record.
  5. The student will examine small animal diagnostic sample collection methods by:
    1. differentiating between sample collection methods, including indications, contraindications, and complications.
    2. choosing a sample collection method based on patient data and sample type needed.
    3. describing the correct technique for each sample collection method, including the proper equipment needed and how to ensure employee and patient safety as well as patient comfort.
    4. explaining the best ways in which to handle and store samples.
  6. The student will analyze the nutritional needs of small animal patients by:
    1. describing the nutrients required for normal body function.
    2. explaining the importance of a nutritional assessment for each patient.
    3. inspecting commercially prepared pet food labels.
    4. comparing the nutritional values of commercially prepared pet foods.
    5. calculating a patient’s caloric needs based on patient data and health status.
    6. choosing an appropriate dietary plan for a patient in the hospital.
  7. The student will examine common small animal infectious diseases and vaccines by:
    1. describing the various vaccination types and administration routes, including indications, contraindications, and complications.
    2. discussing the importance of the timing of vaccination boosters.
    3. explaining potential vaccination reactions and their prevention.
    4. defining the classifications of core, non-core, and not recommended in relation to vaccinations.
    5. describing basic information about common canine and feline infectious diseases and vaccines, including the classification as core, non-core, or not recommended.
    6. preparing vaccination schedules for patients based on their life stage, lifestyle, and health status.
  8. The student will explain the basics of surgical nursing by:
    1. defining surgical terms, including asepsis, sterile, and surgical conscience.
    2. outlining the importance of asepsis related to surgical procedures and how it is maintained during surgery.
    3. discussing the layout and use of the surgical suite, including identification of common surgical equipment.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

Revised 7/85 3 YR. C&I Review 1992. Revised 3/86 DBT 11/20/86 Effective Session 19862 DBT 2/16/93 Effective Session 19923 C&I 10/27/98; DBT 11/16/98 Effective Session 19991 C&I 9/25/01, BOT 10/17/01 Effect 20012 (Sess II, 2001). 3 Year Review 2006. Reformatted 20071, eff20081(0400). C&I 9/16/2011, BOT 10/2011, Effective 20112(0450). C&I Approval: 01/20/2012, BOT Approval: 02/21/2012, Effective Term: Fall 2014 (490).
C&I Approval: 02/12/2025, BOT Approval: 03/18/2025, Effective Term: Fall 2025 (655)

Related Programs

  1. Veterinary Technology (VETTC-AS) (640) (Active)