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Veterinary Medicine vocabulary · The Veterinary Practice

Veterinary nurse

Meaning in veterinary medicine, with examples

/ˈvetərɪnəri nɜːs/nounCore term

In veterinary medicine, veterinary nurse means: A trained, registered professional who assists vets, monitors anaesthesia, cares for hospitalised animals, takes samples and advises owners on routine care. In the US: veterinary technician.

In Turkish: veteriner sağlık teknikeri, veteriner teknikeri, veteriner hemşiresi

How it is used

Often shortened to vet nurse or RVN (registered veterinary nurse) in the UK, and vet tech in the US. Nurses run nurse clinics for weight checks, dental advice and suture removal.

Example sentences

  1. The veterinary nurse will take her blood pressure while you wait.

  2. Our veterinary nurses run a free weight clinic every Tuesday.

Common collocations

  • registered veterinary nurse
  • head veterinary nurse
  • nurse clinic
  • anaesthetic nurse
  • veterinarianA qualified animal doctor who examines animals, diagnoses and treats their diseases, performs surgery and prescribes medicines. Vets also work in food safety, public health and research.
  • anaesthesiaA controlled state, produced with drugs, in which an animal feels no pain and is usually unconscious, so that surgery or other procedures can be done safely.
  • vital signsThe basic measurements that show how well an animal's body is working: temperature, heart rate, pulse and breathing rate.
  • hospitaliseTo admit an animal to the clinic so that it stays for treatment, monitoring or care, for example on a drip. US spelling: hospitalize.

More terms: The Veterinary Practice

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.