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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Students should have experience with the following surgical procedures, but not necessarily
limited to these procedures.

Canine ovariohysterectomy

Feline ovariohysterectomy

Cesarean section

Orthopedic procedures

Canine castration

Feline castration

Tail docking

Feline onychectomy

Canine onychectomy

Laparotomy

Dystocia

Cattle dehorning

Goat dehorning

Prolapsed organs

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Patient Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Properly identify patients and surgical procedures

Standard Criteria Date valuated Evaluator

Correct patient has been
selected
Correct surgical procedure has
been confirmed with surgeon
Correct surgical procedure has
been entered into correct
patient’s medical record

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will use medical records and patient identification
methods to assure that the patient and scheduled procedures are correct.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Patient Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Patient assessment

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

Appropriate consent forms

are signed and included in
patient’s medical record
Patient’s medical record is
complete and reflects
current medical status of
the patient
Pre-operative physical and
laboratory evaluations
have been reviewed
The patient has been re-
evaluated on day of
surgery and the patient’s
status has been discussed
with the veterinary
surgeon
The anesthesia protocol
has been discussed with
the veterinary surgeon and
is appropriate for the
patient and the surgical
procedure to be performed
based on the pre-operative
evaluation and re-
evaluation
The approved anesthesia
protocol has been entered
on the appropriate forms
and included in the
patient’s medical records

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will obtain the patient’s vital signs, note any specific
physical abnormalities, ensure presurgical tests have been completed, and report the patient
assessment to the veterinarian.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Patient Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Prepare surgical site using appropriate aseptic techniques

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

Appropriate surgical site has
been confirmed with the
veterinary surgeon
Hair has been clipped from the
appropriate area on the patient
Appropriate surgical scrubs
have been used to prepare the
clipped area
Appropriate methods of
applying and removing the
surgical scrubs have been used

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will identify the appropriate area of hair to be removed
and select appropriate methods to reduce microbial flora on the skin in the area of the surgical site
to decrease the chance of surgical wound contamination.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Patient Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Position patient for common procedures

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

Patient has been properly
positioned for surgical
procedure to be performed
Patient has been properly
positioned considering
physical condition of patient

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will position the patient appropriately to provide
maximum convenience for the surgeon and maximum safety and benefit for the patient.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Patient Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Provide surgical assistance

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

Maintain proper operating
room conduct of all
personnel in operating room
Maintain asepsis during
surgical procedure
Assist with proper care of
exposed tissues and organs
Properly pass instruments
Properly pass supplies
Operate and maintain suction
equipment
Operate and maintain cautery
equipment
Operate and maintain fiber
optic equipment
Keep appropriate surgical
records and ensure they are
included in the appropriate
patient’s medical record

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will understand and utilize appropriate aseptic techniques
to assist operative personnel in order to provide maximum safety and benefit to the patient.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Patient Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Coordinate pain management with the anesthesia/surgical team

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

The pain management
protocol has been discussed
with the veterinary surgeon
and is appropriate for the
patient and the surgical
procedure that will be
performed
The approved pain
management protocol has been
entered on the appropriate
forms and included in the
patient’s medical records

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will assure that anesthetic and post-operative pain
management protocols are appropriate to provide maximum safety and benefit to the patient.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Patient Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Provide post-operative care

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

Ensure the approved pain
management protocol is
administered to the
appropriate patient
Evaluate the patient’s response
to the pain management
protocol
Ensure the approved fluid
therapy protocol is
administered to the
appropriate patient
Evaluate the patient’s response
to the fluid therapy protocol
Ensure the patient is fed
according to the post-operative
nutrition plan
Provide appropriate care to
any wounds as dictated by the
surgical procedure performed
and the condition of the
patient
Apply and change appropriate
bandages as dictated by the
surgical procedure performed,
nature of the wound, and
condition of the patient
Create appropriate discharge
instructions for the patient
Remove sutures at the
appropriate time
Ensure the medical record is
complete with respect to all
aspects of the surgical
procedure performed

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will understand and administer the appropriate methods
of post-operative care to assure maximum safety and benefit to the patient.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Procedural Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Prepare surgical instruments and supplies

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

Demonstrate ability to
organize appropriate surgical
instruments and supplies for
the surgical procedure to be
performed

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will understand and administer the appropriate methods
of post-operative care to assure maximum safety and benefit to the patient.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Procedural Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Prepare gowns, masks, gloves, and drapes

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

Demonstrate ability to
organize appropriate gowns,
masks, gloves, and drapes for
the surgical procedure to be
performed

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will understand and administer the appropriate methods
of post-operative care to assure maximum safety and benefit to the patient.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Procedural Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Operate and maintain autoclaves

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

Demonstrate ability to
correctly load items into
an autoclave
Demonstrate ability to
properly operate an autoclave
Demonstrate ability to
properly maintain an autoclave

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will understand and administer the appropriate methods
of post-operative care to assure maximum safety and benefit to the patient.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Procedural Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Sterilize instruments and supplies using appropriate methods

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

Identify instruments appropriate
for autoclave sterilization
Demonstrate appropriate
preparation of instruments for
autoclave sterilization
Identify instruments that require
a method of sterilization other
than autoclave sterilization
Discuss appropriate method of
sterilization for instruments
inappropriate for autoclave
sterilization
Identify supplies appropriate for
autoclave sterilization
Demonstrate appropriate
preparation of supplies for
autoclave sterilization
Identify supplies that require a
method of sterilization other than
autoclave sterilization
Discuss appropriate method of
sterilization for supplies
inappropriate for autoclave
sterilization

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will understand and administer the appropriate methods
of post-operative care to assure maximum safety and benefit to the patient.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Procedural Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Identify and know proper use for instruments

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

Identify common surgical
instruments
Demonstrate knowledge of use
of common surgical
instruments
Demonstrate proper handling
of common surgical
instruments
Demonstrate proper method
of passing common surgical
instruments

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will understand and administer the appropriate methods
of post-operative care to assure maximum safety and benefit to the patient.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Procedural Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Identify common suture materials, types, and sizes

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

Identify common suture
materials
Demonstrate knowledge of
types of suture materials
Demonstrate knowledge of
suture material size
designation

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will understand and administer the appropriate methods
of post-operative care to assure maximum safety and benefit to the patient.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Procedural Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Provide operating room sanitation and care

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

Demonstrate proper methods
of maintaining
operating room sanitation
Demonstrate proper care of
operating room equipment
Demonstrate proper sanitation
methods for operating room
equipment

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will understand and administer the appropriate methods
of post-operative care to assure maximum safety and benefit to the patient.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Procedural Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Maintain proper operating room conduct and asepsis

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

Demonstrate proper operating
room conduct
Demonstrate adherence to
aseptic technique and
conduct in the operating room

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to
be performed, the veterinary technician will understand and administer the appropriate methods
of post-operative care to assure maximum safety and benefit to the patient.

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS: SURGICAL NURSING

Procedural Management

Skill: Understand and integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical
procedures in a variety of animal species.

Covered in course(s):

‰ Task: Perform post-surgical clean-up

Standard Criteria Date Evaluated Evaluator

Demonstrate appropriate post-
surgical clean-up
of surgical equipment
Demonstrate appropriate post-
surgical clean-up of surgical
instruments
Demonstrate appropriate post-
surgical clean-up of the
surgical area
Demonstrate appropriate post-
surgical disposal of hazardous
medical waste

Decision-making ability: Given the characteristics of the patient and the surgical procedure to be
performed, the veterinary technician will understand and administer the appropriate methods of
post-operative care to assure maximum safety and benefit to the patient.

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