CET Pharmacology & Chemical Agents — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary consideration when selecting euthanasia agents for a specific animal species?
- Cost of the agent is the only factor
- Species-specific efficacy, speed of action, and minimal pain or distress (Correct answer)
- Availability at the nearest pharmacy
- The technician's personal preference
Correct answer: Species-specific efficacy, speed of action, and minimal pain or distress
Selecting euthanasia agents requires consideration of species-specific efficacy, speed of action, and ensuring minimal pain or distress, as recommended by the AVMA Guidelines.
Question 2: Which class of drugs is most commonly used as a primary euthanasia agent in veterinary practice?
- Antibiotics
- Barbiturates such as sodium pentobarbital (Correct answer)
- Antihistamines
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Correct answer: Barbiturates such as sodium pentobarbital
Barbiturates, particularly sodium pentobarbital, are the most commonly recommended primary euthanasia agents due to their rapid onset of action and ability to produce a painless death.
Question 3: What is the correct procedure for handling and storing controlled euthanasia substances?
- Store them in any convenient location
- Maintain DEA-compliant records, double-locked storage, and proper chain-of-custody documentation (Correct answer)
- Keep them in an unlocked cabinet for easy access
- Only track usage when inspected
Correct answer: Maintain DEA-compliant records, double-locked storage, and proper chain-of-custody documentation
Controlled euthanasia substances require DEA-compliant records, double-locked storage, and proper chain-of-custody documentation to prevent misuse and ensure legal compliance.
Question 4: Why is it important to verify death after administering a euthanasia agent?
- Verification is optional and rarely necessary
- To ensure the animal has achieved irreversible cessation of vital functions before disposal (Correct answer)
- Only to complete paperwork requirements
- Verification is only needed for large animals
Correct answer: To ensure the animal has achieved irreversible cessation of vital functions before disposal
Verifying death ensures the animal has achieved irreversible cessation of vital functions, preventing the possibility of an animal regaining consciousness during disposal.
Question 5: What are the signs a certified euthanasia technician uses to confirm death in an animal?
- Only checking for breathing
- Absence of heartbeat, respiration, corneal reflex, and onset of rigor mortis (Correct answer)
- Checking body temperature only
- Waiting a standard 30 seconds after injection
Correct answer: Absence of heartbeat, respiration, corneal reflex, and onset of rigor mortis
Multiple signs must be checked including absence of heartbeat, respiration, and corneal reflex, with adequate observation time, to conclusively confirm death.
Question 6: What adverse reaction should a CET be prepared to manage when administering injectable euthanasia agents?
- No adverse reactions ever occur
- Agonal breathing, muscle tremors, or vocalization which may occur after loss of consciousness (Correct answer)
- Allergic reactions requiring epinephrine
- The animal becoming more alert
Correct answer: Agonal breathing, muscle tremors, or vocalization which may occur after loss of consciousness
Agonal breathing, muscle tremors, or vocalization can occur after loss of consciousness as involuntary reflexes, and CETs must be prepared to manage these and inform witnesses they are not signs of pain.
CET Pharmacology & Chemical Agents
What is the primary consideration when selecting euthanasia agents for a specific animal species?