Veterinary Technician National
Examination (VTNE) Exam 130
Questions with Correct Answers and
Rationales
Question 1
A 25-kg dog is receiving a constant rate infusion (CRI) of dopamine at 10
mcg/kg/min. The solution contains 800 mg of dopamine in 500 mL of 0.9% NaCl.
What is the infusion rate in mL/hour?
A) 6.25 mL/hr
B) 9.375 mL/hr
C) 12.5 mL/hr
D) 18.75 mL/hr
Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: Dose = 10 mcg/kg/min × 25 kg = 250 mcg/min = 15,000 mcg/hr =
15 mg/hr. Concentration = 800 mg/500 mL = 1.6 mg/mL. Volume = 15 mg/hr ÷
1.6 mg/mL = 9.375 mL/hr.*
Question 2
A cat with a history of heart failure is on furosemide and enalapril. Which
electrolyte abnormality is most concerning with this combination?
A) Hypernatremia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hypomagnesemia
D) Hyperchloremia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: ACE inhibitors (enalapril) reduce aldosterone secretion, and
furosemide can cause prerenal azotemia; together they can lead to hyperkalemia,
especially if renal function is compromised.
,Question 3
A 4-year-old horse presents with acute onset of ataxia, muscle fasciculations, and
sweating after deworming with ivermectin. The horse is a known Collie-type cross.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Organophosphate toxicity
B) Ivermectin toxicosis due to ABCB1 mutation
C) Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis
D) Rhabdomyolysis
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Although ivermectin toxicity is rare in horses, certain equine breeds
with ABCB1 (MDR1) mutations can develop neurotoxicity. The Collie reference
hints at the genetic defect.
Question 4
A blood gas from a dog with diabetic ketoacidosis shows: pH 7.20, PaCO₂ 25
mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 10 mEq/L. What is the primary acid-base disorder?
A) Metabolic alkalosis
B) Metabolic acidosis with appropriate respiratory compensation
C) Respiratory acidosis with metabolic compensation
D) Mixed metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: Low pH (acidemia), low HCO₃⁻ (metabolic acidosis), low PaCO₂
(respiratory compensation). Using Winter’s formula: expected PaCO₂ =
1.5×HCO₃⁻ + 8 ± 2 = 23 ± 2, which matches the measured 25, indicating
appropriate compensation.*
Question 5
A dog ingests a large amount of raisins. Which laboratory change would be
expected within 24 hours?
,A) Hypercalcemia
B) Azotemia and hyperphosphatemia
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Elevated liver enzymes
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Raisin/grape toxicity causes acute kidney injury, leading to elevated
BUN, creatinine, and phosphorus. Hypercalcemia is not typical.
Question 6
Which of the following is a TRUE contraindication for the use of propofol in a cat?
A) Pregnancy
B) Repeated administration for several days
C) Hyperthyroidism
D) Hepatic insufficiency
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Repeated propofol use in cats causes Heinz body hemolytic anemia
due to oxidative metabolites. Single or infrequent use is safe.
Question 7
A 5-kg cat is to receive a blood transfusion at 15 mL/kg over 4 hours. Using a
standard 20 drops/mL administration set, what is the drip rate in drops per minute?
A) 6 drops/min
B) 10 drops/min
C) 15 drops/min
D) 20 drops/min
Correct Answer: A
*Explanation: Total volume = 5 kg × 15 mL = 75 mL. Time = 4 hours = 240
minutes. Drops/min = (75 mL × 20 drops/mL) / 240 min = 1500/240 = 6.25 ≈ 6
drops/min.*
Question 8
, A dog with a history of seizures is on phenobarbital and presents with acute
weakness, ataxia, and serum phenobarbital level of 65 µg/mL (therapeutic range
20–40). Which additional drug may have contributed to this toxicity?
A) Rifampin
B) Ketoconazole
C) Phenytoin
D) Clindamycin
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Ketoconazole inhibits CYP450 hepatic enzymes, reducing
phenobarbital metabolism and increasing serum levels. Rifampin induces enzymes
and would lower levels.
Question 9
A horse is anesthetized with halothane and develops unexplained cardiac
arrhythmias. Which electrolyte imbalance is the most likely cause?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Inhalant anesthetics (especially halothane) sensitize the myocardium
to catecholamines, and hypokalemia increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
Question 10
Which drug is used as a specific reversal agent for rocuronium in dogs?
A) Neostigmine
B) Edrophonium
C) Sugammadex
D) Atropine
Examination (VTNE) Exam 130
Questions with Correct Answers and
Rationales
Question 1
A 25-kg dog is receiving a constant rate infusion (CRI) of dopamine at 10
mcg/kg/min. The solution contains 800 mg of dopamine in 500 mL of 0.9% NaCl.
What is the infusion rate in mL/hour?
A) 6.25 mL/hr
B) 9.375 mL/hr
C) 12.5 mL/hr
D) 18.75 mL/hr
Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: Dose = 10 mcg/kg/min × 25 kg = 250 mcg/min = 15,000 mcg/hr =
15 mg/hr. Concentration = 800 mg/500 mL = 1.6 mg/mL. Volume = 15 mg/hr ÷
1.6 mg/mL = 9.375 mL/hr.*
Question 2
A cat with a history of heart failure is on furosemide and enalapril. Which
electrolyte abnormality is most concerning with this combination?
A) Hypernatremia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hypomagnesemia
D) Hyperchloremia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: ACE inhibitors (enalapril) reduce aldosterone secretion, and
furosemide can cause prerenal azotemia; together they can lead to hyperkalemia,
especially if renal function is compromised.
,Question 3
A 4-year-old horse presents with acute onset of ataxia, muscle fasciculations, and
sweating after deworming with ivermectin. The horse is a known Collie-type cross.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Organophosphate toxicity
B) Ivermectin toxicosis due to ABCB1 mutation
C) Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis
D) Rhabdomyolysis
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Although ivermectin toxicity is rare in horses, certain equine breeds
with ABCB1 (MDR1) mutations can develop neurotoxicity. The Collie reference
hints at the genetic defect.
Question 4
A blood gas from a dog with diabetic ketoacidosis shows: pH 7.20, PaCO₂ 25
mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 10 mEq/L. What is the primary acid-base disorder?
A) Metabolic alkalosis
B) Metabolic acidosis with appropriate respiratory compensation
C) Respiratory acidosis with metabolic compensation
D) Mixed metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: Low pH (acidemia), low HCO₃⁻ (metabolic acidosis), low PaCO₂
(respiratory compensation). Using Winter’s formula: expected PaCO₂ =
1.5×HCO₃⁻ + 8 ± 2 = 23 ± 2, which matches the measured 25, indicating
appropriate compensation.*
Question 5
A dog ingests a large amount of raisins. Which laboratory change would be
expected within 24 hours?
,A) Hypercalcemia
B) Azotemia and hyperphosphatemia
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Elevated liver enzymes
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Raisin/grape toxicity causes acute kidney injury, leading to elevated
BUN, creatinine, and phosphorus. Hypercalcemia is not typical.
Question 6
Which of the following is a TRUE contraindication for the use of propofol in a cat?
A) Pregnancy
B) Repeated administration for several days
C) Hyperthyroidism
D) Hepatic insufficiency
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Repeated propofol use in cats causes Heinz body hemolytic anemia
due to oxidative metabolites. Single or infrequent use is safe.
Question 7
A 5-kg cat is to receive a blood transfusion at 15 mL/kg over 4 hours. Using a
standard 20 drops/mL administration set, what is the drip rate in drops per minute?
A) 6 drops/min
B) 10 drops/min
C) 15 drops/min
D) 20 drops/min
Correct Answer: A
*Explanation: Total volume = 5 kg × 15 mL = 75 mL. Time = 4 hours = 240
minutes. Drops/min = (75 mL × 20 drops/mL) / 240 min = 1500/240 = 6.25 ≈ 6
drops/min.*
Question 8
, A dog with a history of seizures is on phenobarbital and presents with acute
weakness, ataxia, and serum phenobarbital level of 65 µg/mL (therapeutic range
20–40). Which additional drug may have contributed to this toxicity?
A) Rifampin
B) Ketoconazole
C) Phenytoin
D) Clindamycin
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Ketoconazole inhibits CYP450 hepatic enzymes, reducing
phenobarbital metabolism and increasing serum levels. Rifampin induces enzymes
and would lower levels.
Question 9
A horse is anesthetized with halothane and develops unexplained cardiac
arrhythmias. Which electrolyte imbalance is the most likely cause?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Inhalant anesthetics (especially halothane) sensitize the myocardium
to catecholamines, and hypokalemia increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
Question 10
Which drug is used as a specific reversal agent for rocuronium in dogs?
A) Neostigmine
B) Edrophonium
C) Sugammadex
D) Atropine
