Mock Paper 5

a) Considering your role in this scenario, to whom is your professional responsibility: 

[1 mark] 

Answer explanation

The Veterinary Team - you are delegating jobs to people and organizing the work load of the team.

(b) Which legislation prevents you from assigning Ali to place the Intravenous catheter: [2 marks]

Answer explanation

Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 - Prevents those not registered with the RCVS from performing placement of IV catheters. Ali is not yet enrolled with the RCVS.

1 Mark for Act, 1 Mark for Date

(c) Which part of this legislation would allow Ilaria or yourself to place the intravenous catheter: [1 mark]

Answer explanation

Schedule 3 Amendments Order 2002 - just Schedule 3 is fine.

Question 2. 
You must also assign someone to monitor anaesthesia. Considering RCVS guidelines, who is responsible for maintaining anaesthesia: [1 mark] 

Answer explanation

The Veterinary Surgeon

 

Question 3. 
(a) Considering RCVS guidelines, do you think this decision is justified, explain your answer: 

[2 marks] 

Answer explanation

1 mark for yes 

1 mark for adequate explanation, possible justifications: 

 
‘Monitoring a patient during anaesthesia and the recovery period is the responsibility of the veterinary surgeon, but may be carried out on their behalf by a suitably trained person*. Ali has not had suitable training to monitor this for a risky procedure’ 

 

‘On occasion, the professional responsibilities may conflict with each other and veterinary nurses may be presented with a dilemma. In such situations, they should balance the professional responsibilities having regard first to animal welfare.'  - the first consideration therefore would be to protect the animal, someone who has a lot of experience should monitor if the patient is high risk.

(b) How would you explain your decision to Ali: 

[4 marks] 

Answer explanation

One mark [maximum two] for use of an appropriate code, can be paraphrased. One mark [maximum two] for explaining how you would use this to explain the decision to Ali 

 

Some examples: 

 

1.1  Veterinary nurses must make animal health and welfare their first consideration when attending to animals. Therefore, I must prioritise the safety of the animal over your desire for training.

1.2  Veterinary nurses must keep within their own area of competence and refer cases responsibly. - I don't believe you are within your own area of competence here as you are a new student and this is a very complicated anaesthetic.

4.2  Veterinary nurses must ensure that tasks are delegated only to those who have the appropriate competence and registration. I have to delegate appropriately (similar reason to above) 
 

4.4  Veterinary nurses must not impede professional colleagues seeking to comply with legislation and these standards or with the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons. 

 

6.4  Veterinary nurses must comply with legislation relevant to the provision of veterinary services. 

 

6.5  Veterinary nurses must not engage in any activity or behaviour that would be likely to bring the profession into disrepute or under­mine public confidence in the profession. 

Question 4. 

 

1. Considering Benner’s stages of clinical competence, at what level would you place Ali: 

[1 mark]      

Answer explanation

Novice - clearly states they are new to Veterinary practice

List the stages of competence, in order, and describe each stage: 
[10 marks] 

Answer explanation

1 Mark for each stage which has the correct name in the correct order. 

1 Mark for a description reasonably accurate to the stage 

 

Stage 1: Novice  
The Novice or beginner has no experience in the situations in which they are expected to perform. The Novice lacks confidence to demonstrate safe practice and requires continual verbal and physical cues. Practice is within a prolonged time period and he/she is unable to use discretionary judgement.  
 
Stage 2: Advanced Beginner  
Advanced Beginners demonstrate marginally acceptable performance because the nurse has had prior experience in actual situations. He/she is efficient and skilful in parts of the practice area, requiring occasional supportive cues. May/may not be within a delayed time period. Knowledge is developing.  
 
Stage 3: Competent  
Competence is demonstrated by the nurse who has been on the job in the same or similar situations for two or three years. The nurse is able to demonstrate efficiency, is coordinated and has confidence in his/her actions. For the Competent nurse, a plan establishes a perspective, and the plan is based on considerable conscious, abstract, analytic contemplation of the problem. The conscious, deliberate planning that is characteristic of this skill level helps achieve efficiency and organisation. Care is completed within a suitable time frame without supporting cues.  
 
Stage 4: Proficient  
The Proficient nurse perceives situations as wholes rather than in terms of chopped up parts or aspects. Proficient nurses understand a situation as a whole because they perceive its meaning in terms of long-term goals. The Proficient nurse learns from experience what typical events to expect in a given situation and how plans need to be modified in response to these events. The Proficient nurse can now recognise when the expected normal picture does not materialise. This holistic understanding improves the Proficient nurse's decision making; it becomes less laboured because the nurse now has a perspective on which of the many existing attributes and aspects in the present situation are the important ones.  
 
Stage 5: The Expert  
The Expert nurse has an intuitive grasp of each situation and zeroes in on the accurate region of the problem without wasteful consideration of a large range of unfruitful, alternative diagnoses and solutions. The Expert operates from a deep understanding of the total situation. His/her performance becomes fluid and flexible and highly proficient. Highly skilled analytic ability is necessary for those situations with which the nurse has had no previous experience. 

Question 5 

You want support and advice to help your decision, list three ways you could obtain this: 
[3 marks] 

 

 

Answer explanation

A mark for each by listing any of these examples or other relevant examples:

Discussion with senior staff, head nurse or practice manager/director 

RCVS guidance 

Reaching out to a veterinary organisation such as: BVNA, BVA 

Reaching out to a non-veterinary worker advice organization such as: UCAS, CAB 

Practise policy 

HR