Deck 13: Medical Emergencies in the Dental Office

Question 1

Dental assistants must become certified in each, EXCEPT one. Which is the EXCEPTION?

A) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
B) Heimlich maneuver
C) Obtaining and recording vital signs
D) Emergency tracheotomy

Answer 1

Emergency tracheotomy

Question 2

_________ is the most frequently used drug in a medical emergency.

Answer 2

Oxygen

Question 3

An ___________ is a substance that causes an immune response through the production of antibodies.

Answer 3

antigen

Question 4

A list of emergency telephone numbers should be posted:

A) in each operatory
B) in the reception area
C) next to each telephone
D) in the dentist's office

Question 5

The first step in each emergency, EXCEPT one, is to call 911. Which is the EXCEPTION?

A) Angina
B) Partial seizure
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Postural hypotension

Question 6

An important part of emergency preparedness is knowing:

A) the patient's middle name
B) all emergency numbers by memory
C) how quickly the local EMS can get to your office
D) that there are no restrictions on the procedures EMS technicians can perform

Question 7

Oxygen tanks are always which color?

A) Green
B) Blue
C) White
D) Gray

Question 8

Which is a sign of hyperglycemia?

A) Rapid pulse
B) Excessive thirst
C) Blurred vision
D) Headache

Question 9

___________ is a neurologic disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of seizures.

Question 10

Oxygen tanks must be checked for leaks at which interval?

A) Hourly
B) Daily
C) Monthly
D) Weekly

Question 11

During an emergency, vital signs are reassessed:

A) constantly, without pause
B) every 3 to 5 minutes
C) every 10 to 15 minutes
D) only if time and circumstance allow

Question 12

Diagnosing a specific condition is whose responsibility?

A) Chairside assistant
B) Dentist
C) Office manager
D) Circulating assistant

Question 13

A current list of emergency phone numbers should include numbers for:

A) the local fire department, hospital, and pharmacy
B) national hotlines
C) the local police department, fire department, and emergency medical services (EMS)
D) the local hospital, pharmacy, and doctors

Question 14

An anxious patient breathes rapidly during the administration of local anesthesia. With a panicked expression, he attempts to sit up before the chair is raised to an upright position, exclaiming: "I can't breathe… I'm getting dizzy." The assistant should reassure the patient, position him comfortably, and:

A) have the patient breathe into a paper bag
B) prepare to assist in the administration of oxygen
C) instruct the patient to breathe into his cupped hands
D) administer an ammonia inhalant

Question 15

The word hypersensitivity is another term for an _________.

Question 16

The ideal agent for resuscitation of a patient who is unconscious but still breathing is 100% __________.

Question 17

A symptom is:

A) more reliable than a sign
B) what you observe in a patient
C) not recorded in the patient's record
D) the patient's report of what he or she is experiencing

Question 18

An ___________ is a condition or circumstance that requires immediate action to be taken for a person who has been injured or has suddenly become ill.

Question 19

The law requires a healthcare worker to act or behave in a definable way called the __________ of care.

Question 20

The patient begins to perspire heavily during a routine dental procedure. When questioned, she reports a feeling of indigestion and nausea. Upon being gently returned to an upright position, the patient experiences a sharp pain in her left arm and a generalized feeling of weakness. Which medication is the dentist likely to request from the emergency kit?

A) Albuterol
B) Nitroglycerin
C) Epinephrine
D) Diphenhydramine

Question 21

Drugs can be safely used for up to 1 year past the pharmacy expiration date.

Question 22

A systemic reaction that develops very quickly and is very serious is known as ________.

Question 23

Calling 911 will always be effective for any emergency.

Question 24

An antigen that can trigger the allergic state is known as an __________.

Question 25

If the dental office is equipped with a nitrous/oxygen unit, the oxygen from the unit should not be used for emergency situations.

Question 26

Routine checks of rubber tubing, oxygen masks, intravenous needles and syringes, ventilation masks, and blood pressure equipment are necessary.

Question 27

When performing chest compressions for an adult, compress the chest at a depth of at least _______ inches. (Use numeric characters only in your answer.)

Question 28

An emergency drug kit must be readily available for the dental assistant.