Title: Explain the concept of first aid and its importance to the veterinary field.
Course: Small Animal Care II (18102-II) > Section: Exploring First Aid on Animals

Explanation should include

- definition of first aid
- purpose of first aid (e.g., minimize injury and future disability, provide pain relief)
- techniques involved in initial care (e.g., attending to airway, breathing, circulation, controlling hemorrhage)
- avoiding contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids
- methods for securing the environment and providing for human safety
- basic measures that can be performed “in the field”
- instructing a client over the phone in basic first-aid measures to provide to an animal.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are some situations a veterinary assistant might encounter that would require first aid?
- What are some situations that a groomer might encounter that would require first aid?
- What steps could a veterinary assistant take to help assess a patient’s condition when speaking with a client over the telephone?
- What measures should be taken to ensure the safety of a person performing first aid?