Study Recommendations for AIMVT

• The AIMVT study guide is general and covers a broad array of information. As is widely known, Internal Medicine encompasses an extensive range of subject material.  For that reason, prior to the publication of the study guide, AIMVT conducted a role delineation study in which credentialed technicians working primarily in Internal Medicine were polled on what they do in their everyday jobs.  The AIMVT Domains/Tasks, knowledge, and skills lists were all derived from the information that AIMVT received from that study.  Furthermore, the disease states outlined in the knowledge list is a comprehensive compilation of potential topics that may be utilized from AIMVT’s sizable item bank in any given year.  The percentages of the domains and tasks have been added into the study guides.

• The texts listed are simply suggested study material.  They are not meant to be read in their entirety.  The list is extensive to increase the chances that at least some of the material is readily available to the interested technician.  The recommended reading list should be viewed as a way to augment a technician’s hands on experience and knowledge, not replace it.  For this reason, we do not feel it is appropriate to single out certain chapters from any one text for general or specific reading. It would also be strongly suggested to read any articles published by AIMVT members, as this is information that we feel strongly about, and we write the questions!

• For international candidates, please keep in mind that you are taking an exam developed for North American candidates, and would therefore be expected to understand information that may be specific to that area.  Every effort has been made to decrease this potential. Keep in mind that technicians often learn skills in school that they don’t utilize often, but still may need in an emergent situation. 

• Only you can know what information you feel comfortable with and what information you need to know more in depth.  By utilizing a wide variety of sources, you should be able to have overlap in the information and reinforce currently known information.  Go through the domains and examine the percentages given, form there develop a personal study guide to work on the areas that you feel weak in or need to understand better.

• Do not wait until you get acceptance of your application to begin studying.  As soon as you decide to submit an application, look at each case to understand the “why and wherefore”.  Use this information to help develop a personal study guide.

• Make use of mentors, your doctors and other candidates to clarify information, improve study habits and practice skills.

Sample Questions - These questions were pulled from the question banks of AIMVT

Small Animal Internal Medicine  

Domain – DISEASES

1. Which of the following groups of signs MOST accurately describes a state of diabetes ketoacidosis?

A.  Metabolic acidosis, hyperglycemia, dehydration, ketonemia

B.  Metabolic acidosis, hypoglycemia, dehydration, ketonemia

C.  Respiratory acidosis, hyperglycemia, over hydration, ketonuria

D.  Respiratory acidosis, hypoglycemia, over hydration, ketonuria 

Domain – DISEASES

2. Which of the following two organs is leptospirosis MOST likely to affect?

A.  Kidney and heart

B.  Kidney and liver

C.  Lungs and heart

D.  Small intestine and liver 

Domain – ANESTHESIA & ANALGESIA

3. Which of the following is considered a main contraindication for epidural injection?

A.  Cardio-pulmonary depression

B.  Coagulopathies

C.  High risk anesthetic candidates

D.  Prolonged duration of analgesia  

Answers

1.      Answer: A

2.      Answer: B

3.      Answer: B

Oncology

Domain – PHARMACOLOGY

1. Which chemotherapeutic drug is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and achieve potentially beneficial drug concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid?

A.  Carboplatin

B.  CCNU

C.  L-Aspariginase

D.  Mitoxantrone 

Domain – PHARMACOLOGY

2. In regards to doxorubicin chemotherapy and cardio toxicity, which statement is correct?

A.  Cardiotoxicity is a cumulative problem with doxorubicin

B.  Cardiovascular effects from doxorubicin can be reversed

C.  Dogs with pre-existing cardiomyopathy can be treated with doxorubicin

D.  Doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy causes bradycardia 

Domain – ANESTHESIA & ANALGESIA

3. What would be an effective analgesia for radiographing a potentially pathologically fractured tibia, from a biopsy confirmed chondrosarcoma, in an otherwise normal, healthy, 5-year old Labrador retriever?

A.  Acepromazine

B.  Dexmedetomidne

C.  Pamidronate

D.  Piroxicam  

Answers

1.      Answer: B

2.      Answer: A

3.      Answer: B

Large Animal Internal Medicine  

Domain - DISEASES

1. Neonatal isoerythrolysis in foals results from what?

A. Absorption of bacteria through the umbilicus at birth

B. Coprophagy

C. Ingestion of anti red blood cell antibodies from the mare’s colostrum

D. Ingesting mare milk rather than colostrum in first 24 hours 

Domain - DISEASES

2. Name the bacteria responsible for causing shipping fever pneumonia in cattle.

A. Escherichia coli

B. Fusobacterium necrophorus

C. Pasteurella haemolytica

D. Streptococcus zooepidemicus 

Domain - PHARMACOLOGY

3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory toxicity in the equine patient can lead to which of the following conditions?

A. Anaphylaxis and hives

B. Hypothermia and low blood pressure

C. Respiratory depression and ataxia

D. Ulcerations of oral cavity and digestive tract 

Answers

1.     Answer: C

2.  Answer: C

3.  Answer: D

Cardiology 

Domain – BODY MECHANICS & SYSTEMS

1. A narrowing or obstruction of the cardiac valve at the distal right ventricular outflow tract is:

A.  Eisenmenger’s Syndrome

B.  Pulmonary hypertension

C.  Pulmonic stenosis

D.  Subvalvular aortic stenosis 

Domain – DIAGNOSTIC & LABORATORY TESTS and STUDIES

2. What is a characteristic ECG finding in dogs with severe left ventricular enlargement?

A.  Deep S-waves in leads I, II, III, and aVF

B.  Tall R-waves in leads I, II, III, and aVF

C.  Tall, peaked p-waves in leads II, III, and aVF

D.  Wide, notched p-waves in leads II, III, and aVF 

Domain - DISEASES

3. Arterial pulse quality in patients with a left to right shunting patent ductus arteriosus is typically described as:

A.  Hyperkinetic

B.  Hypokinetic

C.  Thready

D.  Weak 

Answers

1.  Answer: C

2.  Answer: B

3.  Answer: A