Provide nursing care for veterinary patients in recovery

This standard is about providing nursing care for veterinary patients in recovery. The animals will be recovering from minor and major procedures, anaesthesia or sedation.  This will include monitoring the veterinary patient, maintaining infection control and completing records.

This standard is suitable for registered veterinary nurses.

1. assess the risks to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues when providing nursing care for veterinary patients in recovery
2. select and implement the required veterinary practice infection control procedures for the area of the veterinary practice you are working in
3. wear the required clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for veterinary patient in recovery
4. place the veterinary patient in an environment and recovery position suitable for its species, breed and the procedure that has been undertaken
5. monitor the veterinary patient's recovery and inform the veterinary surgeon or member of the veterinary team if there are any concerns
6. recognise signs of physical pain or distress and assess using a recognised pain score systems
7. use the required interventions and fluids as requested by the veterinary surgeon or member of the veterinary team to minimise physical pain and distress
8. use required methods to prevent the veterinary patient accessing wounds, dressings and catheters
9. provide information to clients on the condition of veterinary patients
10. record monitoring information required by the veterinary surgeon or member of the veterinary team
11. maintain records of nursing and procedures and keep these accessible at all times, including anaesthetic or sedation records and recovery information
12. comply with relevant animal health and welfare legislation and codes of practice
13. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and   safety legislations, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and business policies

1. how to assess the risks to health and safety when providing nursing care for veterinary patients in recovery
2. the required veterinary practice infection control procedures for the area of the veterinary practice you are working in
3. the required clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) when providing nursing care for animals in recovery
4. the suitable recovery position for different species, breeds and the procedure that has been undertaken
5. how to monitor veterinary patients and the indications of concerns for different types of veterinary patients and procedure undertaken
6. how to recognise and minimise physical pain and distress during recovery using relevant pain score systems
7. the methods that can be used to prevent animals accessing wounds, dressings and catheters
8. why it is important to provide monitoring information to the veterinary surgeon and other members of the practice team
9. how and when to provide information to clients on the condition of veterinary patients
10. why it is important to record veterinary procedures accurately and who should have access to these
11. the professional role and responsibilities of the various veterinary team members involved in the care of veterinary patients in recovery
12. your responsibilities for the health and welfare of animals under the relevant legislation and codes of practice.
13. your professional responsibilities as a registered veterinary nurse
14. your responsibility under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislations, codes of practice and business policies