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Veterinary Technician National Examination
(VTNE) QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
JUST RELEASED
Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE),
POINT-FORM SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE
• Exam Structure: 150 operational multiple-choice questions + 20 pilot questions (not scored), 3-
hour time limit. Covers 9 domains of veterinary technician practice based on AAVSB job analysis.
• Pharmacy & Pharmacology: Drug classifications, indications, contraindications, adverse effects,
withdrawal times, compounding, inventory control, calculations (dosages, dilutions, constant
rate infusions, conversions).
• Surgical Nursing: Sterilization and disinfection, surgical instrumentation, aseptic technique,
patient preparation, surgical site preparation, operating room protocols, suture materials and
patterns.
• Dentistry: Dental anatomy (including equine dental anatomy), dental prophylaxis, periodontal
disease staging, dental radiography, tooth extraction, client education on home care.
• Laboratory Procedures: Hematology (CBC, blood smear evaluation), clinical chemistry,
urinalysis, parasitology (fecal exams, identification of parasites), cytology, microbiology (culture
and sensitivity), coagulation testing.
• Animal Care & Nursing: Patient monitoring (vital signs, fluid therapy, nutrition), wound
management, bandaging, physical examination techniques, isolation protocols, euthanasia
procedures, record keeping.
• Diagnostic Imaging: Radiography (positioning, technique charts, safety), radiation safety,
contrast studies, ultrasound basics, image quality assessment, identification of artifacts.
• Anesthesia & Analgesia: Pre-anesthetic assessment and patient preparation, induction agents,
maintenance protocols, monitoring equipment (pulse oximetry, capnography, ECG, blood
pressure), anesthetic emergencies, pain management protocols.
• Emergency & Critical Care: Triage, CPR (RECOVER guidelines), shock management, fluid
resuscitation, oxygen therapy, toxicities, transfusion medicine, stabilization procedures.
• Pain Management: Pain scales, multi-modal analgesia, NSAIDs, opioids, local anesthetics,
adjunctive therapies (gabapentin, amantadine).
• Anesthesia Equipment & Monitoring: Machine components (vaporizers, CO2 absorbents,
breathing circuits), maintenance, troubleshooting, monitoring parameters and equipment.
• Surgical Preparation: Aseptic technique, patient positioning, draping, instrument handling,
sterilization methods (autoclave, gas, cold sterilization), operating room etiquette.
• Dental Procedures: Scaling and polishing, periodontal probing, dental radiography (paralleling
and bisecting angle techniques), nerve blocks, extraction techniques (closed vs open), post-
operative care.
• Laboratory Calculations: Hemocytometer counts, refractometer use (total protein, urine
specific gravity), reagent preparation, quality control.
• Fluid Therapy: Crystalloids vs colloids, replacement vs maintenance rates, dehydration
assessment, fluid additives, administration routes (IV, IO, SC).
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• Medical Mathematics: Dosage calculations (mg/kg, mg/mL, percentage solutions), conversions
(lb to kg, g to mg, L to mL), constant rate infusion (CRI) calculations, fluid drip rates (gtt/min),
dilution calculations.
SECTION I: PHARMACY & PHARMACOLOGY (Questions 1-50)
1. A 10 kg Miniature Schnauzer is to receive 22 mg/kg cefazolin intravenously following a laceration
repair. If the concentration of cefazolin is 50 mg/mL, how many milliliters should be administered?
• A) 2.0 mL
• B) 4.4 mL
• C) 5.5 mL
• D) 8.8 mL
• Answer: B
• Rationale: 10 kg × 22 mg/kg = 220 mg needed. 220 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 4.4 mL.
2. A 12-pound DSH cat is presented for a dental cleaning. The veterinarian asks you to induce with
propofol at 4 mg/kg IV. The concentration of propofol is 10 mg/mL. How many milliliters will you draw
up?
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• A) 1.2 mL
• B) 2.2 mL
• C) 4.4 mL
• D) 8.8 mL
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Convert pounds to kg: 12 lb ÷ 2.2 = 5.45 kg. 5.45 kg × 4 mg/kg = 21.8 mg. 21.8 mg ÷
10 mg/mL = 2.18 mL, rounded to 2.2 mL.
3. The osmotic pressure of body fluids is primarily maintained by which of the following ions?
• A) Magnesium
• B) Potassium
• C) Sodium
• D) Chloride
• Answer: C
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• Rationale: Sodium is the primary extracellular cation responsible for maintaining osmotic
pressure and fluid balance in the body.
4. A 6-year-old cat weighing 4 kg has a maintenance energy requirement of 238 kcal/day. A can of the
clinic's food contains 578 kcal and costs $1.80. The cat's owner currently buys a store brand with 94
kcal/can at $0.65. Compared to feeding the store brand, the cost of feeding the clinic's food is:
• A) One quarter of the cost
• B) One half of the cost
• C) Equal
• D) Double the cost
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Cans needed: 238 ÷ 94 = 2.53 cans store brand = $1.65 daily. 238 ÷ 578 = 0.41 cans
clinic food = $0.74 daily. $0.74 ÷ $1.65 = 0.45 (~half the cost).
5. A 4-week-old, 15-pound German Shepherd puppy is hypoglycemic. The doctor orders 500 mg/kg
dextrose bolus over 5 minutes using 50% dextrose solution. How many milliliters will you administer?
Veterinary Technician National Examination
(VTNE) QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
JUST RELEASED
Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE),
POINT-FORM SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE
• Exam Structure: 150 operational multiple-choice questions + 20 pilot questions (not scored), 3-
hour time limit. Covers 9 domains of veterinary technician practice based on AAVSB job analysis.
• Pharmacy & Pharmacology: Drug classifications, indications, contraindications, adverse effects,
withdrawal times, compounding, inventory control, calculations (dosages, dilutions, constant
rate infusions, conversions).
• Surgical Nursing: Sterilization and disinfection, surgical instrumentation, aseptic technique,
patient preparation, surgical site preparation, operating room protocols, suture materials and
patterns.
• Dentistry: Dental anatomy (including equine dental anatomy), dental prophylaxis, periodontal
disease staging, dental radiography, tooth extraction, client education on home care.
• Laboratory Procedures: Hematology (CBC, blood smear evaluation), clinical chemistry,
urinalysis, parasitology (fecal exams, identification of parasites), cytology, microbiology (culture
and sensitivity), coagulation testing.
• Animal Care & Nursing: Patient monitoring (vital signs, fluid therapy, nutrition), wound
management, bandaging, physical examination techniques, isolation protocols, euthanasia
procedures, record keeping.
• Diagnostic Imaging: Radiography (positioning, technique charts, safety), radiation safety,
contrast studies, ultrasound basics, image quality assessment, identification of artifacts.
• Anesthesia & Analgesia: Pre-anesthetic assessment and patient preparation, induction agents,
maintenance protocols, monitoring equipment (pulse oximetry, capnography, ECG, blood
pressure), anesthetic emergencies, pain management protocols.
• Emergency & Critical Care: Triage, CPR (RECOVER guidelines), shock management, fluid
resuscitation, oxygen therapy, toxicities, transfusion medicine, stabilization procedures.
• Pain Management: Pain scales, multi-modal analgesia, NSAIDs, opioids, local anesthetics,
adjunctive therapies (gabapentin, amantadine).
• Anesthesia Equipment & Monitoring: Machine components (vaporizers, CO2 absorbents,
breathing circuits), maintenance, troubleshooting, monitoring parameters and equipment.
• Surgical Preparation: Aseptic technique, patient positioning, draping, instrument handling,
sterilization methods (autoclave, gas, cold sterilization), operating room etiquette.
• Dental Procedures: Scaling and polishing, periodontal probing, dental radiography (paralleling
and bisecting angle techniques), nerve blocks, extraction techniques (closed vs open), post-
operative care.
• Laboratory Calculations: Hemocytometer counts, refractometer use (total protein, urine
specific gravity), reagent preparation, quality control.
• Fluid Therapy: Crystalloids vs colloids, replacement vs maintenance rates, dehydration
assessment, fluid additives, administration routes (IV, IO, SC).
, Page 2 of 161
• Medical Mathematics: Dosage calculations (mg/kg, mg/mL, percentage solutions), conversions
(lb to kg, g to mg, L to mL), constant rate infusion (CRI) calculations, fluid drip rates (gtt/min),
dilution calculations.
SECTION I: PHARMACY & PHARMACOLOGY (Questions 1-50)
1. A 10 kg Miniature Schnauzer is to receive 22 mg/kg cefazolin intravenously following a laceration
repair. If the concentration of cefazolin is 50 mg/mL, how many milliliters should be administered?
• A) 2.0 mL
• B) 4.4 mL
• C) 5.5 mL
• D) 8.8 mL
• Answer: B
• Rationale: 10 kg × 22 mg/kg = 220 mg needed. 220 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 4.4 mL.
2. A 12-pound DSH cat is presented for a dental cleaning. The veterinarian asks you to induce with
propofol at 4 mg/kg IV. The concentration of propofol is 10 mg/mL. How many milliliters will you draw
up?
, Page 3 of 161
• A) 1.2 mL
• B) 2.2 mL
• C) 4.4 mL
• D) 8.8 mL
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Convert pounds to kg: 12 lb ÷ 2.2 = 5.45 kg. 5.45 kg × 4 mg/kg = 21.8 mg. 21.8 mg ÷
10 mg/mL = 2.18 mL, rounded to 2.2 mL.
3. The osmotic pressure of body fluids is primarily maintained by which of the following ions?
• A) Magnesium
• B) Potassium
• C) Sodium
• D) Chloride
• Answer: C
, Page 4 of 161
• Rationale: Sodium is the primary extracellular cation responsible for maintaining osmotic
pressure and fluid balance in the body.
4. A 6-year-old cat weighing 4 kg has a maintenance energy requirement of 238 kcal/day. A can of the
clinic's food contains 578 kcal and costs $1.80. The cat's owner currently buys a store brand with 94
kcal/can at $0.65. Compared to feeding the store brand, the cost of feeding the clinic's food is:
• A) One quarter of the cost
• B) One half of the cost
• C) Equal
• D) Double the cost
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Cans needed: 238 ÷ 94 = 2.53 cans store brand = $1.65 daily. 238 ÷ 578 = 0.41 cans
clinic food = $0.74 daily. $0.74 ÷ $1.65 = 0.45 (~half the cost).
5. A 4-week-old, 15-pound German Shepherd puppy is hypoglycemic. The doctor orders 500 mg/kg
dextrose bolus over 5 minutes using 50% dextrose solution. How many milliliters will you administer?
