ADEX Managing Medical Emergencies 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for adult CPR according to current AHA guidelines?
- 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm)
- At least 2 inches (5 cm), not exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm) (Correct answer)
- 2.5-3 inches (6.4-7.6 cm)
- At least 1.5 inches (3.8 cm)
Correct answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm), not exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm)
AHA guidelines specify adult chest compressions should be at least 2 inches deep but no more than 2.4 inches to maximize perfusion while avoiding injury.
Question 2: A conscious patient who ingested an overdose of local anesthetic begins experiencing perioral numbness and metallic taste. These are signs of toxicity affecting which system first?
- Cardiovascular system
- Central nervous system (Correct answer)
- Renal system
- Hepatic system
Correct answer: Central nervous system
CNS toxicity from local anesthetic overdose manifests first with perioral numbness, tinnitus, metallic taste, and agitation before progressing to cardiovascular collapse.
Question 3: Which position is recommended for a pregnant patient who becomes hypotensive in the dental chair?
- Left lateral tilt (15-30 degrees) (Correct answer)
- Trendelenburg position (head-down)
- Supine with legs elevated 45 degrees
- Sitting upright at 90 degrees
Correct answer: Left lateral tilt (15-30 degrees)
Left lateral tilt displaces the gravid uterus off the inferior vena cava, relieving supine hypotensive syndrome by restoring venous return in the third trimester.
Question 4: A patient with a history of adrenal insufficiency is undergoing a lengthy, stressful procedure. Which emergency is this patient at risk for?
- Hypertensive crisis
- Addisonian (adrenal) crisis (Correct answer)
- Hyperthyroid storm
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
Correct answer: Addisonian (adrenal) crisis
Patients with adrenal insufficiency cannot produce adequate cortisol in response to surgical stress, potentially triggering an Addisonian crisis with profound hypotension.
Question 5: The dental emergency kit should contain which of the following for management of hypoglycemia in a conscious patient?
- 50% dextrose solution for IV administration
- Oral glucose gel or orange juice (Correct answer)
- Glucagon for IM injection
- Insulin for subcutaneous injection
Correct answer: Oral glucose gel or orange juice
A conscious patient who can swallow should receive oral glucose (gel, juice, or glucose tablets) as the safest and most practical first-line treatment for hypoglycemia.
Question 6: During a medical emergency requiring 100% oxygen delivery, which delivery device provides the highest oxygen concentration?
- Nasal cannula at 6 L/min
- Simple face mask at 10 L/min
- Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min (Correct answer)
- Venturi mask at 8 L/min
Correct answer: Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
A non-rebreather mask with a reservoir bag at 15 L/min delivers approximately 90-100% FiO2, making it the highest concentration non-invasive delivery device.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the 'chain of survival' concept in cardiac emergency response?
- Call 911 → CPR → defibrillation → advanced life support → post-arrest care (Correct answer)
- Assess → airway → breathing → circulation → disability
- Scene safety → call for help → AED → medications → transport
- Recognition → activation → compressions → airway → breathing
Correct answer: Call 911 → CPR → defibrillation → advanced life support → post-arrest care
The AHA chain of survival links early recognition/activation of EMS, early CPR, rapid defibrillation, advanced life support, and post-cardiac arrest care as sequential survival-improving steps.
ADEX Managing Medical Emergencies 4
What is the recommended depth of chest compressions for adult CPR according to current AHA guidelines?