Veterinary Technician Practice Exam

When taking a patient history, which question is most useful?

1. "How much food does Fluffy eat daily?"

2. "How often does Fluffy go for walks?"

3. "How much water does Fluffy drink daily?"

4. "How many hours does Fluffy sleep?"

The correct answer is: "How much water does Fluffy drink daily?"

Determining a pet's hydration is critical in assessing overall health and identifying potential issues. Asking about water intake provides insight into the pet's hydration status, which can indicate various health conditions, such as kidney disease or diabetes. Changes in water consumption, whether an increase or decrease, can be vital clues in diagnosing underlying medical problems. Therefore, understanding how much water Fluffy drinks daily is particularly valuable for making informed decisions about further diagnostics or treatments. While the other questions concerning food intake, exercise habits, and sleep patterns are also relevant, they do not offer the same immediate indicators of health status as the question about water consumption does. Changes in diet or activity may not reflect acute health concerns as profoundly as disruptions in hydration, making it a priority in patient history taking.