Description
AVNAT Approved Course
This flexi CPD course is aimed at vet nurses and vet technicians in general practice and is available on-demand with unlimited lifetime access. Each module consists of a tutorial, quiz and further reading articles
Module 1
Triage Assessment of the Trauma Patient and Stabilisation of the Emergency Patient
- Carrying out an effective triage assessment and the RVN’s role
- Major body system assessment
- Approach to dysfunction of the cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological systems
- Practical considerations for managing the emergency patient stabilisation
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
- Correctly identify a patient with dysfunction of a major body system
- Confidently triage and assess an emergency patient
- Recognise the approach to dysfunction of different major body systems and stabilisation techniques utilised for emergency patients
- Appreciate specific nursing considerations for the emergency presentation
Module 2
Urethral Obstruction
- Identification of the patient with urethral obstruction
- Stabilisation techniques
- Evidence-based discussion on emergency management, fluid types and analgesia options
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
- Participate in case based discussions
- Identify the patient’s condition and the pathophysiology alongside potential complicating factors such as co-morbidities
- Understand how to correct fluid deficits and identifying the difference between hypovolemia and dehydration
- Participate in acid-base and electrolyte discussions, including how to address hypo and hyperkalemia
- Appreciate the specific nursing considerations for patients with urethral obstruction
Module 3
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
- Presentation and initial emergency management
- Acid base balance and electrolyte abnormalities
- Pathophysiology of diabetic ketoacidosis and complicating factors
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
- Participate in case based discussions
- Identify the patient’s condition and the pathophysiology alongside potential complicating factors such as co-morbidities
- Understand how to correct fluid deficits and identifying the difference between hypovolemia and dehydration
- Participate in acid-base and electrolyte discussions, including how to address hypo and hyperkalaemia
- Appreciate the specific nursing considerations for patients with DK
Module 4
The Acute Abdomen – Surgical Cases
- Pre-anaesthesia stabilisation and assessment
- Analgesia choices in the critically ill patient
- Peri-operative and recovery periods
- Nursing specific concerns post operatively
Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:
- Develop a pre-anesthetic plan and discuss suitable stabilisation as well as attribute an ASA score
- Complete with confidence a surgical checklist and identify areas of concern
- Understand analgesia choices, the options we have including CRIS, local and regional techniques
- Engage in cased based presentations, including abdominal foreign bodies and gastric dilatation and volvulus
Module 5
The Acute Abdomen – Medical Cases
- Analgesia and pain scoring
- Non-surgical versus surgical patients
- SIRS and DIC
- Nutritional support
Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:
- Understand pain scoring and the importance of using validated methods
- Understand analgesia choices, the options we have including CRIS, local and regional techniques
- Decide if a patient is surgical or non-surgical, especially in the case of traumatic haemoabdomen
- Understand the pathophysiology behind systemic inflammatory response syndromes and disseminated intravascular coagulation and how to identify the early indications of development of these syndromes
Module 6
Acute Gastrointestinal Disease
- Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis including parvovirus
- Fluid therapy
- Antibiosis
Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:
- Identify appropriate approaches to fluid replacement including discussion of the use of crystalloids and colloids in the patient with AHDS
- Appreciate the importance of nutrition in the patient with acute gastro-intestinal disease and how we can provide that
- Describe potential complications that may occur, including sepsis
- Discuss the rational use of antibiotics, using evidence bases
The course will be available immediately following purchase, with unlimited lifetime access and will provide a total of:
12 hours of CPD (UK)
12 points (Australia and New Zealand)
12 points (South Africa – SAVC Accreditation Number AC//25) – awaiting approval
Release date: Sept 2025






Anarosa W –
I learnt lots of very helpful tips that I can bring back to use in practice. I now have more in depth knowledge of common emergencies that may present in practice and now I feel more confident dealing with them and have lots of nursing tips that I can use to improve my patient’s outcome.
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice <5 years - UK)
Rachel S –
Learned a lot to take back to practice, good amount of time to complete tasks
Rated: Introduction / Intermediate level
Mark M –
Great course, combined refresher type work with more advanced subjects and lots of practical advice to improve work in practice
Rated: Intermediate level
Kirsty C –
very informative/educational
Rated: Intermediate level
Nichola C –
Excellent
Rated: Introduction / Intermediate level
Chloe W –
Very informative. Easy to follow.
Rated: Intermediate level
Jennifer J –
Highly recommend. Thinking about doing part 2
Rated: Intermediate level
Lucy B –
Very informative with a confident, knowledgeable, passionate and well respected tutor. A great mix of teaching methods and lots of great take-away tips.
Rachel W –
Loved the diversity in material, the tutors were extremely helpful and the course offered flexibility for those of us like myself in another country to do the tutorials and quizzes in our own time (no strict deadlines). Learnt a lot, will definitely be looking into other courses offered by them!
Leanne S –
I really enjoyed this course, it has helped me understand some cases better on why we do it, why we run those bloods ect