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Free VTNE Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free VTNE practice test to study every exam domain.

Question 1

A 4-year-old domestic shorthair cat presents with severe anemia (PCV 12%) following trauma. The clinic has packed RBCs from a Type A donor available, and time is critical. The cat has never received a blood transfusion previously. What is the appropriate next step?

  1. Administer the Type A blood immediately since first transfusions are typically safe
  2. Perform a blood type test on the recipient before administering any transfusion
  3. Begin transfusion at 0.25 mL/kg/hr while typing is performed concurrently
  4. Skip typing since crossmatch is more important in feline transfusions
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Perform a blood type test on the recipient before administering any transfusion

Question 2

A 6.6-pound cat is prescribed buprenorphine at 0.02 mg/kg via oral transmucosal (OTM) administration. The available concentration is 0.3 mg/mL. How many mL should be administered?

  1. 0.06 mL
  2. 0.2 mL
  3. 0.4 mL
  4. 0.6 mL
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 0.2 mL

Question 3

During CPR on a 25-kg dog in cardiac arrest, the patient is intubated with an IV catheter in place. According to the 2024 RECOVER guidelines, what is the appropriate dose of epinephrine?

  1. 0.1 mg/kg IV every 3-5 minutes (high-dose protocol)
  2. 0.01 mg/kg IV every 3-5 minutes (low-dose protocol)
  3. 0.01 mg/kg IV initially, escalating to 0.1 mg/kg if no ROSC after three doses
  4. 0.04 mg/kg IV given once
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 0.01 mg/kg IV every 3-5 minutes (low-dose protocol)

Question 4

A 30-kg dog under isoflurane anesthesia at 2% has these vitals: HR 45 bpm, MAP 55 mmHg, SpO2 97%, ETCO2 38 mmHg. The patient is already receiving lactated Ringer's at 5 mL/kg/hr. What is the MOST appropriate FIRST intervention?

  1. Administer a 10 mL/kg crystalloid bolus over 15 minutes
  2. Decrease the isoflurane vaporizer setting
  3. Administer atropine 0.04 mg/kg IV
  4. Begin a dopamine CRI at 5 mcg/kg/min
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Decrease the isoflurane vaporizer setting

Question 5

While charting a feline dental cleaning, the veterinarian notes tooth resorption on tooth #307. Which tooth is affected?

  1. Mandibular left third premolar
  2. Mandibular right third premolar
  3. Maxillary left third premolar
  4. The cat does not have this tooth
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Mandibular left third premolar

Question 6

A 5-year-old male cat presents with urethral obstruction. Bloodwork shows K+ 8.2 mEq/L and BUN 95 mg/dL. ECG reveals bradycardia (80 bpm) with tall peaked T waves. Which treatment provides the FASTEST cardioprotection?

  1. Regular insulin 0.25 U/kg IV with 50% dextrose
  2. Sodium bicarbonate 1 mEq/kg IV slow
  3. 10% calcium gluconate 0.5-1.5 mL/kg IV slow with ECG monitoring
  4. 0.9% NaCl bolus at 10 mL/kg
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - 10% calcium gluconate 0.5-1.5 mL/kg IV slow with ECG monitoring

Question 7

A 12-kg dog is admitted in shock following a hit-by-car incident. Initial vitals: HR 180, MAP 50, MM pale, CRT 3 seconds. The veterinarian orders fluid resuscitation. According to the 2024 AAHA Fluid Therapy Guidelines, what is the appropriate INITIAL crystalloid bolus?

  1. 90 mL (7.5 mL/kg) over 5 minutes
  2. 240 mL (20 mL/kg) over 15-30 minutes, then reassess
  3. 540 mL (45 mL/kg) as fast as possible
  4. 1080 mL (90 mL/kg) over 60 minutes
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 240 mL (20 mL/kg) over 15-30 minutes, then reassess

Question 8

During an ovariohysterectomy on a 25-kg dog, the surgeon asks for a hemostat to clamp the ovarian pedicle prior to ligation. Which instrument is MOST appropriate?

  1. Halsted Mosquito hemostat
  2. Kelly hemostat
  3. Crile hemostat
  4. Rochester-Carmalt hemostat
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Rochester-Carmalt hemostat

Question 9

A 4-kg cat presents 24 hours post-spay for a routine recheck. The cat received meloxicam 0.3 mg/kg SC at induction yesterday. The owner asks if she can give aspirin from her medicine cabinet for additional pain control. Which response is MOST appropriate?

  1. Aspirin is safe in cats at half the canine dose
  2. Aspirin is acceptable but only when given with food
  3. Stacking NSAIDs is contraindicated; recommend the owner contact the veterinarian to discuss additional pain control options
  4. Aspirin can be given but should be spaced 4 hours from the meloxicam dose
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Stacking NSAIDs is contraindicated; recommend the owner contact the veterinarian to discuss additional pain control options

Question 10

A 10-year-old cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) requires general anesthesia for a dental procedure. Which induction agent is MOST contraindicated for this patient?

  1. Etomidate
  2. Alfaxalone
  3. Ketamine combined with midazolam
  4. Propofol
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Ketamine combined with midazolam

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