CASPer TEST UPDATED ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Describe a disappointment from your life. - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔I once applied for a
veterinary technician position at a veterinary emergency hospital. However, after a month had
passed with no response, I sent a follow-up email to inquire about my initial email. After
another two weeks, I showed up to the clinic in person to deliver my resume, but again I
received no response. I was disappointed that I did not receive even a rejection notification,
however, I took this as a learning experience to better myself so that I can be a more
competitive applicant in the future.
Briefly describe a time when you hesitated or chose not to help someone. What were the
reasons behind your dilemma? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔As a veterinary technician, I am
still working during the pandemic. One time, I was picking up a pet from the owner outside
our clinic. When I received the pet's leash, I was in the middle of explaining the exam
procedure when the elderly owner dropped his phone. My initial instinct was to bend down
and help the owner retrieve his phone; however, in light of COVID-19, I hesitated and chose
not to help in order to limit contact to potentially contaminated surfaces. Although this
decision felt unnatural, I believe I made the right decision to protect the team of healthcare
professionals I work with, and this will in turn protect our clients.
Describe a time when you had to sacrifice something. - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔I spent
most of college looking for my passion. When I finally discovered my passion for veterinary
medicine, I was in my second semester of my junior year. In order to prepare for vet school
applications, I needed to gather experience. I volunteered many weekends at vaccine clinics,
and gradually spent more and more time outside of my apartment, and away from my friends.
I sacrificed my time that could have been spent with my friends having fun, but ultimately I
do not regret this decision as I was able to grow from the experience and get closer to my
dream.
Describe one time when your boss had to confront you about an issue with your work. -
CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔When I first started as a veterinary technician, I was still learning
what questions to ask in order to obtain a brief history to report to the doctor. My boss
confronted me because I took too long to obtain history. Afterwards, I asked to see how the
other technicians were taking history, and I learned about what questions to ask, and how to
document the answers succinctly.
Describe a past situation in which your ethics were challenged. - CORRECT ANSWER-
✔✔cheating
,Describe a time when you used teamwork to solve a problem. - CORRECT ANSWER-
✔✔When I was volunteering at a free vaccine clinic, there was a particularly fractious dog
that would attempt to bite any person that got too close. To solve this problem, we had one
technician restraining the animal, one technician on standby ready to jump in if anything
happened, and the owners were present to distract the dog with compliments and treats, while
I was administering the vaccine.
Have you ever been at odds with a coworker? How did you handle this? - CORRECT
ANSWER- ✔✔Yes. When I was filling medication for a patient, I used a rubberband to tie
together the drug formulary to the pill container. My coworker angrily confronted me because
she was upset that I wrapped the rubber band around the container too many times. While I
understood that this was an inconvenience for her, I was not happy with the tone she used. I
explained that I recognized her concern and agreed with her, and that next time I would not
wrap the rubberband so many times. However, I also asked her to speak in a more
professional and kindly manner, after which she calmed down and the issue was resolved.
What is the greatest challenge you have ever faced and what did you do to overcome it? -
CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔The greatest challenge I ever faced was when my family was
against me pursuing vet school. My family believed that doctors for animals were "less" than
doctors for humans, even though they knew that I was passionate about animal care. In the
end, I realized that I would be the one working
What quality or personality trait is most important in the veterinary profession? - CORRECT
ANSWER- ✔✔I believe that you should look for candidates that are empathetic. While good
grades and gpa are important, I think it is even more important to look for individuals who
can understand patients and what they are going through. To be able to get down on their
level, and put themselves in their shoes. Though we might not have gone through exactly
what they are going through, we have all felt disappointed or scared (or whatever they are
feeling), and apply that to the situation. I believe that great health care stems from empathy.
Do you get frustrated or angry? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔Frustration and anger are
natural emotions that every individual experiences. However, the way people handle their
emotions differ. When I feel frustration or anger, I step back and ask myself questions to calm
down and think through the situation. By doing so, I am able to better formulate a strategy to
address the issue I am facing.
Tell me about a time that you made a mistake at work? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔When I
first started as a vet tech, I wrongly told a client that we carried a brand of medication that
they wanted. When the client showed up, I apologized profusely that we did not carry the
,brand they had asked about, but that we did carry the same medication under a different
brand. From this experience, I learned to think carefully before speaking, and to not be afraid
to double check the accuracy of my statements before sharing them.
What do you do if a patient refuses to be seen by a PA? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔First off,
everyone is entitled to what kind of provider they want to see. I would tell them what a PA is
and that I work together with the physician to give the best possible care. I would also tell
them about my education. If they still insist on seeing a physician, I would thank them for
listening ot me, and have them see the physician.
If the patient isn't comfortable with the provider or doesn't trust them, then we are not giving
them the best possible care.
Imagine that you witness your attending doing something that in your opinion does not fit the
standard of care. How would you react? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔I would take a step
back and analyze the situation and try to understand the thought process of why the physician
made that order
-If I was still unsure I would consult the ordering physician and try to determine why he
chose that treatment bc it could have been a mistake- made by me or by physician
- If I know with 100% certainty that it is a mikstake, I would not follow those orders and tell
the supervising physician that I am not comfortable with that
Your supervising physician or fellow PA are drunk at work, what would you do? - CORRECT
ANSWER- ✔✔- Tell them to go home and come back tomorrow because they are a danger to
themselves and the patients.
- If my supervising physician refused then i would have to report him to the medical board
because it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of the pt's.
- As a medical provider he or she should know better and have the maturity to not treat
patients when they are intoxicated
Your patient is diagnosed with Syphalis but does not want to tell his wife. What would you
do? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔-You respect the pt's wishes and protect his privacy
-Medical provider does not impose personal belief or judgement on their patients
-However, you can encourage patient to openly talk about it with partner
-provide information of risks to their partner but ultimately the decision is the PT's
, What would you do if you witnessed a coworker stealing Tylenol from Pyxis? - CORRECT
ANSWER- ✔✔I would confront them about it, and let them know that I am really concerned.
I would tell them that they are jeopardizing their license as well as mine. I would tell them to
put it back, and that we need to sit down and talk about it. If he didn't want to listen, I would
report him .
Imagine that you diagnose an elderly patient with a life threatening condition that requires
overnight observation. The patient refuses to be treated. However, the patient's son tells you
that the patient has dementia and is incapable of understanding the diagnosis or making
medical decisions. The son wants you to admit the patient to the hospital against the patient's
wishes. What do you do? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔I would discuss the patient with the
physician and determine whether they have the capacity to make decisions; pts have the right
to refuse but generally only if they are A+O x4 a(1) person, (2) place, (3) time, and (4)
situation.
and are stable psychiatrically;
-pt may need a POA (power of attorney) since incapable of making decisions
If a student fails a test, is it the student's fault or the teacher's fault? - CORRECT ANSWER-
✔✔Both the student and the teacher are responsible for this failure. Students have the
responsibility to manage their studies and to seek help if they need it. Teachers have the
responsibility to teach their students and should understand that each student has their own
unique learning style, so lower-performing students should be taught in a manner that best
brings out their potential. Thus, a failure on a test is both the student's and the teacher's fault.
Describe a situation you have had with a difficult patient. - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔I once
had a older-male patient who was inappropriate around the female technicians at my physical
therapy clinic. I confronted my boss about it and told him my concerns and that I was
uncomfortable working on him. My boss was very understanding and receptive. He was also
able to talk to the patient, and make sure it didn't happen again.
You are in a surgery and the anesthesiologist starts making inappropriate comments about the
patient once they are asleep. What do you do in this situation? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔I
would tell them that is inappropriate and to stop. Next time they did it, I would report it.
You are about to leave for the day and realize that you gave a patient medicine they are
allergic to. What do you do? - CORRECT ANSWER- ✔✔- contact patient immediately and
explain the situation
-tell patient to stop taking medication
