Veterinary Technician National Examination
(VTNE) Exam Questions with Answers and
Rationales
Question 1
A 5-year-old dog presents with seizures after ingesting a sympathomimetic drug.
Which of the following is the most likely toxicant?
A. Ivermectin
B. Bromethalin
C. Xylitol
D. Metaldehyde – Correct: Metaldehyde causes tremors and seizures
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Metaldehyde (snail bait) causes severe tremors, seizures, and
hyperthermia. Ivermectin causes ataxia/mydriasis; bromethalin causes cerebral
edema; xylitol causes hypoglycemia.
Question 2
Which clotting factor is deficient in hemophilia A (Factor VIII deficiency) in
dogs?
A. Factor VIII
B. Factor IX
C. Factor X
D. Factor XI
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Hemophilia A is Factor VIII deficiency; Hemophilia B is Factor IX
deficiency. Both cause prolonged PTT with normal PT.
Question 3
,A cat presents with acute dyspnea, open-mouth breathing, and cyanosis after a
stressful event. The most likely diagnosis is:
A. Pulmonary thromboembolism
B. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure
C. Asthma
D. Pneumothorax
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats can lead to acute congestive
heart failure and pleural effusion, causing severe dyspnea, often triggered by
stress.
Question 4
What is the reversal agent for romifidine?
A. Naloxone
B. Atipamezole
C. Flumazenil
D. Yohimbine
Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: Atipamezole is a specific alpha-2 antagonist used to reverse
romifidine, dexmedetomidine, medetomidine, and xylazine (though yohimbine
also reverses xylazine but is less specific).*
Question 5
A 10-kg dog requires a constant rate infusion (CRI) of dopamine at 5 mcg/kg/min.
The dopamine concentration is 40 mg/mL. What is the infusion rate in mL/hour?
A. 0.075 mL/hr
B. 0.075 mL/hr? Wait calculate: 10kg * 5 = 50 mcg/min = 3000 mcg/hr = 3
mg/hr. Concentration 40 mg/mL, so 3/40 = 0.075 mL/hr
C. 0.75 mL/hr
D. 7.5 mL/hr
,Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: Dose: 5 mcg/kg/min × 10 kg = 50 mcg/min = 3000 mcg/hr = 3
mg/hr. Volume = 3 mg ÷ 40 mg/mL = 0.075 mL/hr.*
Question 6
Which drug is most likely to cause prolonged bleeding when used concurrently
with clopidogrel?
A. Omeprazole
B. Rifampin – no, actually NSAIDs increase bleeding risk. Correct: Aspirin
C. Aspirin
D. Fentanyl
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Aspirin (an NSAID) inhibits platelet aggregation and when combined
with clopidogrel (antiplatelet) significantly increases bleeding risk.
Question 7
A horse presents with acute laminitis. Which of the following drugs is
contraindicated?
A. Flunixin meglumine
B. Phenylbutazone – not contraindicated
C. Corticosteroids
D. DMSO
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Corticosteroids may induce or worsen laminitis in horses and are
generally contraindicated. NSAIDs are used for pain/inflammation.
Question 8
What is the mechanism of action of cisapride?
A. Dopamine antagonist
B. 5-HT4 receptor agonist
, C. Alpha-2 agonist
D. Muscarinic antagonist
Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: Cisapride is a prokinetic agent that acts as a 5-HT4 receptor agonist,
enhancing acetylcholine release in the myenteric plexus.*
Question 9
Which laboratory finding is most consistent with ethylene glycol toxicity in a cat?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hyperosmolality and metabolic acidosis with increased anion gap
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Ethylene glycol is metabolized to toxic acids (glycolic, oxalic)
causing increased osmolality, metabolic acidosis with high anion gap, and calcium
oxalate crystalluria.
Question 10
A dog is on phenobarbital for seizure control. Which additional drug may decrease
phenobarbital levels by inducing hepatic enzymes?
A. Cimetidine
B. Ketoconazole – no, that increases
C. Rifampin
D. Omeprazole
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Rifampin is a potent CYP450 inducer, increasing phenobarbital
metabolism and decreasing serum levels. Cimetidine and ketoconazole inhibit
metabolism.
Question 11
(VTNE) Exam Questions with Answers and
Rationales
Question 1
A 5-year-old dog presents with seizures after ingesting a sympathomimetic drug.
Which of the following is the most likely toxicant?
A. Ivermectin
B. Bromethalin
C. Xylitol
D. Metaldehyde – Correct: Metaldehyde causes tremors and seizures
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Metaldehyde (snail bait) causes severe tremors, seizures, and
hyperthermia. Ivermectin causes ataxia/mydriasis; bromethalin causes cerebral
edema; xylitol causes hypoglycemia.
Question 2
Which clotting factor is deficient in hemophilia A (Factor VIII deficiency) in
dogs?
A. Factor VIII
B. Factor IX
C. Factor X
D. Factor XI
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Hemophilia A is Factor VIII deficiency; Hemophilia B is Factor IX
deficiency. Both cause prolonged PTT with normal PT.
Question 3
,A cat presents with acute dyspnea, open-mouth breathing, and cyanosis after a
stressful event. The most likely diagnosis is:
A. Pulmonary thromboembolism
B. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure
C. Asthma
D. Pneumothorax
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats can lead to acute congestive
heart failure and pleural effusion, causing severe dyspnea, often triggered by
stress.
Question 4
What is the reversal agent for romifidine?
A. Naloxone
B. Atipamezole
C. Flumazenil
D. Yohimbine
Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: Atipamezole is a specific alpha-2 antagonist used to reverse
romifidine, dexmedetomidine, medetomidine, and xylazine (though yohimbine
also reverses xylazine but is less specific).*
Question 5
A 10-kg dog requires a constant rate infusion (CRI) of dopamine at 5 mcg/kg/min.
The dopamine concentration is 40 mg/mL. What is the infusion rate in mL/hour?
A. 0.075 mL/hr
B. 0.075 mL/hr? Wait calculate: 10kg * 5 = 50 mcg/min = 3000 mcg/hr = 3
mg/hr. Concentration 40 mg/mL, so 3/40 = 0.075 mL/hr
C. 0.75 mL/hr
D. 7.5 mL/hr
,Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: Dose: 5 mcg/kg/min × 10 kg = 50 mcg/min = 3000 mcg/hr = 3
mg/hr. Volume = 3 mg ÷ 40 mg/mL = 0.075 mL/hr.*
Question 6
Which drug is most likely to cause prolonged bleeding when used concurrently
with clopidogrel?
A. Omeprazole
B. Rifampin – no, actually NSAIDs increase bleeding risk. Correct: Aspirin
C. Aspirin
D. Fentanyl
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Aspirin (an NSAID) inhibits platelet aggregation and when combined
with clopidogrel (antiplatelet) significantly increases bleeding risk.
Question 7
A horse presents with acute laminitis. Which of the following drugs is
contraindicated?
A. Flunixin meglumine
B. Phenylbutazone – not contraindicated
C. Corticosteroids
D. DMSO
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Corticosteroids may induce or worsen laminitis in horses and are
generally contraindicated. NSAIDs are used for pain/inflammation.
Question 8
What is the mechanism of action of cisapride?
A. Dopamine antagonist
B. 5-HT4 receptor agonist
, C. Alpha-2 agonist
D. Muscarinic antagonist
Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: Cisapride is a prokinetic agent that acts as a 5-HT4 receptor agonist,
enhancing acetylcholine release in the myenteric plexus.*
Question 9
Which laboratory finding is most consistent with ethylene glycol toxicity in a cat?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hyperosmolality and metabolic acidosis with increased anion gap
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Ethylene glycol is metabolized to toxic acids (glycolic, oxalic)
causing increased osmolality, metabolic acidosis with high anion gap, and calcium
oxalate crystalluria.
Question 10
A dog is on phenobarbital for seizure control. Which additional drug may decrease
phenobarbital levels by inducing hepatic enzymes?
A. Cimetidine
B. Ketoconazole – no, that increases
C. Rifampin
D. Omeprazole
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Rifampin is a potent CYP450 inducer, increasing phenobarbital
metabolism and decreasing serum levels. Cimetidine and ketoconazole inhibit
metabolism.
Question 11
