Toxicology (Sept 2024)

Description

This course is aimed at nurses working in general practice

Week 1

Toxicology Introduction

The top 10 commonly encountered toxins in small animal patients will be reviewed along with up-to-date evidence-based guidelines looking at treatment recommendations and options
We will review the reported antidotes as well as the use of intra-lipid emulsion and other supportive measures we may implement in patients suffering from intoxication
Common complications of the various intoxications we can encounter will be reviewed as well as discussion of how we may pre-empt and manage these

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Recognise the main toxins we see in practice
Develop a systematic approach to the intoxicated patient
Discuss the evidence bases looking at use of activated charcoal, intra-lipids and other antidotes, along with supportive measures for the intoxicated patient
Appreciate the main complications we may encounter with an intoxicated patient
Understand how to address and nurse intoxicated patients into recovery

Week 2

Central Nervous System Toxins

Detailed discussion of the toxins that commonly affect the central nervous system, including recreational drugs, human medications, organic toxins, household and environmental concerns
We will look at decontamination of these patients as well as effective nursing care and monitoring for the patient with severe CNS depression associated with intoxication
Discuss when an antidote may be indicated and the systemic effects we can see associated with CNS intoxications

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand the effects of the main toxins affecting the CNS
Consider how to provide emergency treatment for these patients and also develop a plan for longer term care
Discuss whether decontamination is appropriate for patients when the CNS is depressed
Understand the complications and challenges we may encounter

Week 3

Renal System Toxins

Discuss toxins that affect the patient’s renal system, including ethylene glycol, NSAID ingestion, baclofen and raisins / grapes
Consider how we can identify a patient with acute kidney injury due to a toxin and the treatment options available, including peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis
Nursing care for these patients is intensive and a focus on fluid balance and electrolyte status is vital, so this will be covered in detail

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand the different toxins that affect the renal system and how we can approach nursing and monitoring these patients
Consider approaches to acid-base stabilisation and electrolyte abnormality management
Understand why volume overload occurs, and how we monitor, prevent and manage this condition

Week 4

Hepatic, Cardiac and Respiratory System Toxins

Round up of other common toxins including those affecting the hepatic, cardiovascular and respiratory systems and other miscellaneous agents. We will look at identifying these patients, common sources of intoxication and approaches to management
Review of the process of gastric lavage and contraindications associated with this method of contamination
Specific concerns associated with other toxins, including xylitol, baclofen, beta blockers, paracetamol, garlic and onions

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Discuss appropriate treatment options and interventions for the mentioned toxins
Confidently provide nursing care and monitoring for these patients
Discuss gastric lavage and when it may not be appropriate
Appreciate the long term effects these toxins may or may not have on our patients

The course will be fully tutored by Kath Howie and will consist of 10 hours of CPD and will be provided in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case scenarios, forum discussions and quizzes. This course is tutored for 4 weeks, followed by a two week extension of untutored ‘catch up’ time, before the course officially ends.

All delegates will then have unlimited lifetime access to the learning material for future reference

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Speaker

Kath Howie VTS (ECC), RVN
Principal Nurse Manager, VetsNow

Kath worked in a primary care practice through her training and qualified in January 2000. After a few years in practice as a registered nurse she decided to take the step into referral nursing in 2003. After a couple of years gaining experience of nursing intensive care patients and those with complex needs, she moved into emergency practice in 2005. In 2009 she achieved the Veterinary Technician Speciality in Emergency and Critical Care and re- certified in 2014.

AVNAT

Australia and New Zealand

The Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician (AVNAT) Regulatory Council has allocated 10 AVNAT CPD points to this continuing education activity.

This course is also recognised by the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA) as providing 10 CPD points.

CPD Hours

This online course is worth 10 hours of CPD.

A certificate will be available from the ‘My Courses’ section, for you to download and print, once you have completed the course. A permanent record of your total CPD hours will also be recorded in your account section.

Information

Upon purchase you will be registered to attend the course, for 4 weeks from the start date. The course will consist of various interactive tasks and lessons, including quizzes, case studies, forum discussions and further reading material.

The course is fully tutored, with new material will be provided each Monday morning, but the onus will be on the individual delegate to ensure that all tasks are fully complete. The certificate will only be issued at the end of the course when all tasks have been accomplished. Fewer CPD hours will be awarded at the the end of the course if there are unfinished tasks or there has been no contribution to the discussion forum, for example

The course is fully flexible, and there are no weekly ‘deadlines’ – the lessons and tasks may be completed whenever is convenient for each delegate, and any live lessons with be recorded and made available later that same day. Furthermore, all the course material will be available for a further 2 weeks, to allow delegates the opportunity to catch up on missed lessons and tasks, or to take the opportunity to delve further into the suggested reading texts. Please note however, that the course will not be tutored by the speaker during these final two weeks, but the time spent will count towards your CPD hours

After 6 weeks, the course will be complete and there will be no further opportunity to gain the certificate or CPD hours, however, you will have unlimited lifetime access to the tutorials, further reading and quizzes for future reference. If you make any personal notes during the course using the ‘take notes’ app, these will be saved, along with your certificate and CPD record for permanent access in ‘My CPD’

Levels

This course has been listed as ‘Intermediate’ level

All of our courses are aimed at veterinary nurses in general practice, but everyone who works in the veterinary profession is very welcome to attend, whether you are a clinical receptionist, veterinary surgeon, student nurse or have been a qualified nurse for over 20 years!

The courses are not formally assessed for skill level, so the following CPD levels are just a rough guide to help you decide if a course may be more or less suitable:

Introduction
– maybe most suitable for qualified nurses in general practice approaching a new topic or looking for a refresher course

Intermediate
– maybe most suitable for qualified nurses in general practice along with referral / specialist nurses looking for a refresher course

Advanced
– maybe most suitable for referral / specialist nurses and highly experienced qualified nurses in general practice

Pawprints

You will earn 205 Pawprint Points (£20.50 website credit) when you purchase this course

Our loyalty scheme rewards you with 10% in website credit to spend on future courses. Choose pay with Pawprint Points during checkout.

Invoice My Practice

Invoice

Debit or credit card is the preferred payment method

Please ask your practice manager or accounts department to visit the website, register an account in their own name, and during checkout, complete the ‘delegate name’ and ‘delegate email’ sections with your personal details. We will then register you a personal account on your behalf, and transfer the course booking over to your new personal account. We will of course email you all the information you need to access this new account and your CPD course.

If you need an invoice and no other payment method is available to you, then please email [email protected] with all the following information:

Full name of delegate
Email address for delegate
Course(s) booking
Any discounts / promotions being redeemed
Practice name and address
Invoice name and address (if different)
Corporate group name (Linnaeus, IVC, Medivet, VetPartners etc) (if applicable)
Practice code (eg Vet4Pets practices)
Booking / invoice reference (if required)
Email address to send the invoice (practice manager, accounts department or head office – not your own email address please)

Please note the following:

Invoices must be requested a minimum of 4-6 weeks prior to a course starting, to allow time for the payment to be received
Delegates will not be allowed access to any course without prior payment
An invoice will be emailed to the contact provided and the course booking will be reserved for 7 days, whilst payment via debit / credit card or BACS is arranged
There will be an administration fee of £2.50 +VAT per invoice generated. You may book multiple delegates / multiple courses on a single invoice to the same practice

Tutored Online CPD