ANSWERS

1. What is the meaning of the term recumbency?
   Recumbency is defined as "lying down", a recumbent animal may be unable to rise and unless regularly turned, may be in the same position for some time.
2. What is ventral recumbency?
   Lying on the abdomen.
3. What is dorsal recumbency?
   Lying on the back.
4. What is sternal recumbency?
   Lying on the chest.
5. What is lateral recumbency?
   Lying on the side.
6. List 5 areas in which a recumbent animal may need assistance.
   • Exercise.
   • Urination.
   • Defecation.
   • Feeding and drinking.
   • Washing.
7. What is the medical term for bed sores?
   Decubitus (or decubital ulcers).
8. List 8 common sites for bed sores.
   • The spine of the scapula.
   • The lateral condyle of the humerus.
   • The sternum.
   • The tuber coxae.
   • The greater trochanter.
   • The tuber ischii.
   • The lateral condyle of the tibia.
   • The lateral aspects of the digits.
9. List 4 ways in which you would help to prevent bed sores.
   • Provide plenty of soft, clean, absorbent bedding.
   • Keep the patient clean and dry.
   • Turn the patient regularly (at least once every four hours).
   • Apply ring-pad dressings to bony prominences.
10. Why is Vetbed commonly used in veterinary hospitals?
    Vetbed is often the bedding of choice because it is soft, thick and comfortable for the patient. It is designed to enable urine to seep through to the base keeping the fleecy surface relatively dry. It is easily laundered, and in addition, should pass through the digestive tract without causing an obstruction if eaten.
11. What parts of the body of a hospitalised patient require particular attention and why?
    • Bony prominences - susceptible to decubitus ulcers.
    • Genitalia - require cleaning following urination/defecation, and special attention if an indwelling urinary catheter is present.
    • Ears, eyes and nostrils - check for discharges.
    • Mouth, teeth and gums - require cleaning following assisted feeding, assessment of capillary refill time (CRT).
    • Coat - regular cleaning and grooming will improve the demeanor of the patient.
    • Claws - lack of exercise may mean that the nails become overly long.
12. How would you treat decubitus ulcers?
    Clean with a mild antiseptic solution, dry well and apply ring pad dressings.
13. What is hypostatic pneumonia?
    Fluid on the chest in a patient in lateral recumbency, caused by the underlying lung becoming squashed.
14. How would you prevent hypostatic pneumonia?
    Turn the animal at least every 4 hours or encourage it to lie in sternal recumbency. Use of coupage.
15. In addition to the nursing procedures advised by the veterinary surgeon, what else may help a recumbent patient to recover?
    Lots of TLC. Remember that the animal is in a strange environment away from its owner and will need plenty of reassurance. Patients hospitalised long term benefit from company, and it is best to site them where there are plenty of comings and goings to prevent boredom.
16. List 10 conditions that may result in recumbency.
    • General anaesthesia.
    • Shock.
    • Fractured limbs.
    • Metabolic disturbance.
    • Burns.
    • Sloughed pads.
    • Whelping or kittening.
    • Neurological damage.
    • Limb amputation.
    • Degloving injuries