Patient Management Flashcards
7 cards from real ADAP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Management flashcards as text
When scheduling a patient with extreme dental phobia, which appointment time is generally recommended?
Answer: First appointment of the morning when wait times are shortest
Morning appointments reduce anticipatory anxiety by minimizing the time a phobic patient spends worrying throughout the day.
A patient's medical history form lists 'blood thinner medication.' The dental assistant should:
Answer: Flag the information for the dentist to review before any invasive procedure
Blood thinners increase bleeding risk during invasive procedures, so the dentist must review the patient's medication and may consult the prescribing physician.
Which of the following is an example of nonverbal communication that helps reassure an anxious dental patient?
Answer: Maintaining eye contact and using a calm, open posture
Calm body language, eye contact, and an open posture signal safety and attentiveness, which are key to reducing patient anxiety.
A patient who is hard of hearing arrives for their appointment. The best communication strategy is to:
Answer: Face the patient directly, speak clearly, and use written notes or visual aids if needed
Direct eye contact, clear articulation, and written supplementation ensure that hearing-impaired patients fully understand their care.
A patient's blood pressure reading taken before treatment is 180/110 mmHg. The correct action is to:
Answer: Inform the dentist immediately, as this reading indicates hypertensive urgency
A blood pressure of 180/110 mmHg is hypertensive urgency and requires immediate dentist notification before any elective dental treatment.
Which statement best describes the dental assistant's role in obtaining informed consent?
Answer: The dental assistant may witness the patient's signature after the dentist has explained the procedure
The dentist is responsible for explaining the procedure and its risks; the dental assistant may witness the patient signing the consent form.
A patient expresses fear about choking during an impression. The most effective response is to:
Answer: Seat the patient in a slightly upright position and walk them through slow, nasal breathing
An upright position and coached nasal breathing are evidence-based techniques for managing gag reflex and reducing choking anxiety during impressions.