ADAP Dental Emergencies and First Aid 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended aspirin dose a conscious adult patient should chew when a myocardial infarction is suspected in the dental office?
- 81 mg (one baby aspirin)
- 162–325 mg (one to two regular-strength tablets) (Correct answer)
- 500 mg (one extra-strength tablet)
- 650 mg (two regular-strength tablets)
Correct answer: 162–325 mg (one to two regular-strength tablets)
Chewing 162–325 mg of aspirin rapidly delivers antiplatelet effects that can limit myocardial damage while awaiting emergency services.
Question 2: A patient with a known history of asthma begins wheezing and is short of breath during a procedure. What is the FIRST-line treatment?
- Administer epinephrine via auto-injector
- Use the patient's own bronchodilator inhaler (e.g., albuterol) (Correct answer)
- Give the patient antihistamines
- Place the patient in the Trendelenburg position
Correct answer: Use the patient's own bronchodilator inhaler (e.g., albuterol)
A beta-2 agonist bronchodilator inhaler such as albuterol is the first-line rescue medication for an acute asthma attack.
Question 3: What does the acronym AED stand for in the context of dental office emergency preparedness?
- Automated Emergency Defibrillator
- Automated External Defibrillator (Correct answer)
- Advanced Emergency Device
- Acute Event Detector
Correct answer: Automated External Defibrillator
AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator, a device that analyzes heart rhythm and delivers a shock to restore normal rhythm in cardiac arrest.
Question 4: A patient reports a known latex allergy before a dental procedure. What is the MOST appropriate action for the dental team?
- Proceed with treatment using extra precautions
- Use latex-free gloves, instruments, and materials throughout the appointment (Correct answer)
- Have the patient pre-medicate with antihistamines before the visit
- Schedule the patient at the end of the day after other patients
Correct answer: Use latex-free gloves, instruments, and materials throughout the appointment
A latex allergy requires a completely latex-free environment to prevent potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis during treatment.
Question 5: What is postural (orthostatic) hypotension, and when is it MOST likely to occur in dental patients?
- High blood pressure caused by dental anxiety
- A drop in blood pressure when a patient moves from lying down to sitting or standing upright (Correct answer)
- Elevated blood pressure during a painful procedure
- Low blood pressure caused by excessive local anesthetic
Correct answer: A drop in blood pressure when a patient moves from lying down to sitting or standing upright
Postural hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure upon position change that can cause dizziness or fainting, most commonly when patients rise quickly from a reclined dental chair.
Question 6: If a dental instrument is accidentally dropped into a patient's throat, what is the MOST appropriate FIRST response?
- Perform the Heimlich maneuver immediately
- Have the patient cough forcefully to dislodge it
- Turn the patient's head to the side and use suction to locate and retrieve the object (Correct answer)
- Refer the patient for an X-ray before taking any action
Correct answer: Turn the patient's head to the side and use suction to locate and retrieve the object
Turning the patient's head to the side and using oral suction is the correct first step to retrieve a dropped object before it is swallowed or aspirated.
Question 7: Which of the following is the universal sign that a conscious patient is choking and cannot speak or breathe?
- Clutching the throat with both hands (Correct answer)
- Pointing to the chest with one hand
- Covering the mouth with both hands
- Leaning forward with arms extended
Correct answer: Clutching the throat with both hands
The universal choking sign is clutching the throat with one or both hands, which is internationally recognized as a signal for complete airway obstruction.
ADAP Dental Emergencies and First Aid 2
What is the recommended aspirin dose a conscious adult patient should chew when a myocardial infarction is suspected in the dental office?