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






Tamsin R –
I really enjoyed this course, I found the presentations to be full of useful information for me to take back to my practice. The presentations were easy to follow and I found the additional information provided to be excellent, especially for making suggestions at work if there is anything we could be doing differently.
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)
Sarah W –
Excellent!
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)
Sharon D –
Great course informative, great support material
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)
Donna F –
Really enjoyable and very informative. Learned so many tips to bring back into practice.
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice <5 years - UK)
Hazel H –
Really informative course. I have learnt a lot of things that were new to me and I have gained a lot of ideas and knowledge that I am looking forward to bringing into my practice
Rated: Introduction / Intermediate / Advanced level
(Newly qualified <2 years - UK)
Victoria P –
fantastic course, very informative and easy to navigate
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)
Anonymous –
Really interesting CPD. Really learnt a lot and Kath was really easy to listen to.
Rated: Intermediate leve
(Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)
Jade M –
Great course, loads of valuable information and advice to take back into practice to help with common emergencies. Really informative and clear tutoring.
Rated: Intermediate / Advanced level
(Qualified RVN in general practice <5 years - UK)
Alex B –
Very good. Went into a lot of depth.
Rated: Intermediate level
(Qualified RVN in general practice <5 years - UK)
Jenny W –
Useful reminders and tips for supporting critically ill patients.
Rated: Introduction level
(Qualified RVN in general practice <5 years - UK)