Provide general nursing care to in-patients in a veterinary practice

This standard covers providing general nursing care to veterinary in-patients in a veterinary practice in accordance with the veterinary patients care plan formulated in conjunction with the veterinary surgeon. 

The provision of general nursing care will include administering nursing care, such as providing nutrition and fluids, administering fluid therapy, confirming the condition of the veterinary in-patient, monitoring their progress, dealing with bandages, dressing and monitoring wounds.

The work covered in this standard plays a part in infection control and preventing the transfer of infectious diseases.

This standard is suitable for registered veterinary nurses.

1. confirm the condition of the veterinary in-patient and the required level of general nursing care to be provided in accordance with the veterinary in-patients care plan and as directed by the veterinary surgeon
2. check and assemble supplies of the required equipment and materials to carry out the required general nursing care
3. assess the risks to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues when providing general nursing care to veterinary in-patients
4. select and implement the required veterinary practice infection control procedures when providing general nursing care to veterinary in-patients
5. assess the handling and welfare needs of the veterinary in-patient and how they may be addressed or affected while in your care
6. wear the required clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) when providing general nursing care to veterinary in-patients
7. handle the veterinary in-patient using the required restraining methods and equipment
8. provide the required nutrition and fluids to the veterinary in-patient at required frequencies, under the instruction of the veterinary surgeon
9. monitor veterinary in-patients according to their clinical conditions as directed by the veterinary surgeon
10. determine the required fluid therapy in accordance with the requirements of the veterinary in-patient and the instructions of the veterinary surgeon
11. calculate the fluid requirements for the veterinary in-patient, including the flow-rate
12. cannulate a vein in the veterinary in-patient, using aseptic techniques
13. provide the required fluid therapy according to the calculated fluid requirements of the veterinary in-patient and its condition
14. monitor the veterinary in-patient during and after the provision of the fluid therapy and bring any concerns with the veterinary in-patients condition, to the attention of the veterinary surgeon
15. apply bandages and dressings to the wounds on the veterinary in-patient
16. monitor the veterinary in-patients wounds and bring any concerns to the attention of the veterinary surgeon
17. dispose of surplus and waste materials produced by the veterinary practice in accordance with relevant legislation and veterinary practice procedures
18. complete records using information systems as required by relevant legislation and the veterinary practice
19. comply with relevant animal health and welfare legislation and codes of practice
20. 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. why it is important to confirm the veterinary in-patient's condition and the required general nursing care with the veterinary surgeon
2. the required veterinary practice infection control procedures when providing general nursing care to veterinary in-patients
3. the types of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) required for providing general nursing care to veterinary in-patients
4. how and when veterinary in-patients should be monitored and how their condition can affect the monitoring
5. the monitoring methods used during different types of general nursing care
6. the actions needed when nursing veterinary in-patients with infectious or zoonotic conditions
7. the equipment and materials used in the provision of different types of general nursing care
8. how to determine and calculate the required fluid therapy in accordance with the requirements of the veterinary in-patient and the instructions of the veterinary surgeon
9. how to position and restrain different species of veterinary in-patient's for different general nursing care
10. how to cannulate a suitable vein in a veterinary in-patient using aseptic techniques
11. how to administer the required fluid therapy according to the calculated fluid requirement for the condition of the veterinary in-patient
12. the importance of monitoring veterinary in-patients during and after the administration of fluid therapy
13. the types and quantities of nutrition and fluids needed by different veterinary in-patients
14. basic bandaging and dressing techniques
15. how to assess and monitor wounds and apply dressings
16. the indicators of a change in the condition of veterinary in-patients during general nursing care and the reasons for reporting such changes to the veterinary surgeons           
17. how to dispose of surplus and waste materials produced by the veterinary practice in accordance with relevant legislation and veterinary practice procedures
18. your professional responsibilities as a registered veterinary nurse
19. your responsibilities for the health and welfare of animals under relevant legislation and codes of practice
20. your responsibly under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislations, codes of practice and business policies

Veterinary in-patient care plan: an individually tailored plan of veterinary care for different veterinary patients, this could be in-patients or patients being cared for at home.

General nursing care: providing nutrition and fluids, administering fluid therapy, confirming the condition of the veterinary in-patient, monitoring their progress, dealing with bandages, dressing and monitoring wounds.