Dental Emergencies and First Aid 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 Dental Emergencies and First Aid flashcards as text
What is the FIRST action a dental assistant should take when a patient experiences syncope (fainting) in the dental chair?
Answer: Lower the chair to a supine position with legs elevated
Placing the patient supine with legs elevated improves cerebral blood flow, which is the primary treatment for vasovagal syncope.
Which drug is the MOST critical emergency medication to have available in the dental office for treating anaphylaxis?
Answer: Epinephrine (adrenaline)
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis because it reverses bronchoconstriction and vasodilation through adrenergic receptor stimulation.
A patient suddenly develops chest pain radiating to the left arm and jaw during a dental procedure. Which emergency is MOST likely occurring?
Answer: Myocardial infarction
Chest pain radiating to the left arm and jaw is a classic presentation of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and requires immediate emergency response.
What is the NORMAL resting adult respiratory rate range that a dental assistant should know when assessing a patient?
Answer: 12–20 breaths per minute
A normal adult respiratory rate at rest is 12–20 breaths per minute; values outside this range indicate a potential emergency.
A diabetic patient becomes shaky, sweaty, and confused during treatment. What is the FIRST intervention?
Answer: Give oral glucose such as orange juice or glucose gel
These symptoms indicate hypoglycemia; administering a fast-acting carbohydrate source raises blood sugar quickly in a conscious patient.
During a dental appointment, a patient suddenly has a tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure. What should the dental team do FIRST?
Answer: Clear the area of hard objects and protect the patient's head
The priority during an active seizure is to prevent injury by clearing hazards and cushioning the head; restraint can cause fractures and objects should never be placed in the mouth.
Which vital sign reading in an adult dental patient would indicate a hypertensive emergency requiring immediate attention?
Answer: 180/120 mmHg or higher
A blood pressure of 180/120 mmHg or higher is classified as a hypertensive crisis requiring immediate medical evaluation before dental treatment proceeds.