What should the dental hygienist do first if a patient reports a suspected adverse drug effect?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Determine what drugs the patient is taking.Once a list of drugs is identified,it is important to determine which drug or drugs may be causing the adverse effect.If the patient is taking multiple drugs the dental hygienist should determine when the patient is taking each drug.Also,determine whether or not the symptoms of the adverse effect occurred after beginning drug therapy and how long after the patient took the drug.Epinephrine is administered for anaphylaxis.Drugs used in dentistry that can produce anaphylaxis include the penicillins,ester local anesthetics,and aspirin.Drinking a sugary liquid is useful for a patient with hypoglycemia.Calling 9-1-1 is useful for a severe allergic reaction or heart attack;however,a drug allergy accounts for less than 5% of all adverse reactions.It is better to call emergency medical services (EMS)if transportation to the hospital is required as there are liability issues with driving the patient to the hospital.

What Should the Dental Hygienist Do First If a Patient