Patient Assessment and Diagnosis Flashcards
7 cards from real ADEX 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 Assessment and Diagnosis flashcards as text
During a head and neck examination, a dental hygienist palpates a firm, non-tender, fixed lymph node in the submandibular region. What is the most appropriate next step?
Answer: Refer the patient to a physician immediately
A firm, fixed, non-tender lymph node is a red flag for malignancy and requires immediate physician referral.
Which of the following findings during an oral cancer screening warrants biopsy referral rather than a 2-week monitoring period?
Answer: A white lesion on the lateral tongue that cannot be wiped off
A white lesion (leukoplakia) on the lateral tongue that cannot be wiped off may represent dysplasia or carcinoma and warrants biopsy referral.
A patient's blood pressure reading is 148/94 mmHg at two separate appointments. How should this be classified according to the AHA guidelines?
Answer: Stage 1 hypertension
Stage 1 hypertension is defined as systolic 130-139 mmHg or diastolic 80-89 mmHg; 148/94 falls in Stage 2 (≥140/90).
When recording the gingival margin position during a periodontal assessment, what does a negative measurement indicate?
Answer: The gingival margin is coronal to the CEJ (pseudopocket)
A negative gingival margin value means the gingival margin is coronal to the CEJ, indicating edematous or hyperplastic tissue rather than true recession.
Which type of bleeding index measures the presence or absence of bleeding 30 seconds after probing?
Answer: Sulcus Bleeding Index (Mühlemann)
The Sulcus Bleeding Index (Mühlemann) records bleeding within 30 seconds of gentle probing along the gingival sulcus.
A patient presents with a chief complaint of sensitivity when drinking cold water. Which assessment tool is most useful in differentiating between pulpitis and dentinal hypersensitivity?
Answer: Thermal and electric pulp testing
Thermal and electric pulp vitality testing help distinguish vital tooth sensitivity (hypersensitivity) from pulpal pathology (pulpitis).
During a dental hygiene assessment, the hygienist notes furcation involvement on tooth #19 that allows probe penetration through the entire furcation. This is classified as:
Answer: Class III furcation
Class III furcation involvement means the probe passes completely through the furcation from one side to the other (through-and-through).