ICVA - International Council for Veterinary Assessment Bovine Surgical Principles Questions and Answers

Question 1

When performing a cornual nerve block for dehorning an adult cow, what is the primary anatomical landmark for injection?

Accepted Answer

The temporal ridge, midway between the lateral canthus and the base of the horn

Answer

The facial tuberosity

Answer

The supraorbital foramen

Answer

The muscular process of the mandible

Question 2

A veterinarian is preparing for a standing left-flank laparotomy on a dairy cow. Which of the following regional anesthetic techniques provides the most complete and uniform desensitization of the entire flank, including the peritoneum and deep muscle layers?

Accepted Answer

Proximal paravertebral nerve block

Answer

Inverted L block

Answer

Line block

Answer

Caudal epidural anesthesia

Question 3

During a rumenotomy to remove a foreign body, the surgeon must prevent contamination of the peritoneal cavity. Which of the following is a standard technique to achieve this?

Accepted Answer

Securing the rumen to the skin incision with a continuous suture pattern or a rumen board/shroud before incising the rumen

Answer

Continuously lavaging the abdomen with sterile saline throughout the procedure

Answer

Administering a high dose of systemic antibiotics 30 minutes before the incision

Answer

Packing the abdomen with sterile laparotomy sponges soaked in povidone-iodine

Question 4

A 6-month-old calf undergoes surgical dehorning. Which of the following is the MOST common and immediate post-operative complication that requires careful monitoring?

Accepted Answer

Hemorrhage from the cornual artery

Answer

Facial nerve paralysis

Answer

Chronic sinusitis

Answer

Wound infection and myiasis

Question 5

A surgeon is performing an intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA), or Bier block, to anesthetize the distal limb of a cow for a claw amputation. Which of the following steps is critical for the safety and efficacy of this procedure?

Accepted Answer

Placing a tourniquet proximal to the intended surgical area and injecting the anesthetic into a distal vein

Answer

Injecting the local anesthetic as rapidly as possible to ensure quick distribution

Answer

Using a local anesthetic solution containing epinephrine to prolong the block

Answer

Removing the tourniquet immediately after injecting the full dose of anesthetic

Question 6

When closing a left paralumbar fossa incision in a cow after a rumenotomy, which suture material characteristic is most desirable for closure of the abdominal muscle layers?

Accepted Answer

Absorbable, monofilament with prolonged tensile strength

Answer

Rapidly absorbable, multifilament

Answer

Non-absorbable, monofilament

Answer

Natural, absorbable (e.g., chromic gut)