Emergency Procedures & Response Flashcards

A patient develops sudden chest pain, diaphoresis, and jaw pain during a dental appointment. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Acute myocardial infarction

Chest pain with diaphoresis and jaw pain are classic signs of acute myocardial infarction requiring immediate 911 activation.

Which position is most appropriate for a patient experiencing anaphylactic shock in the dental office?

Answer: Supine with legs elevated (Trendelenburg)

Supine position with legs elevated increases venous return and maintains cerebral perfusion in anaphylactic shock.

During administration of local anesthesia, a patient reports ringing in the ears and a metallic taste. These are signs of:

Answer: Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST)

Tinnitus and metallic taste are early CNS warning signs of local anesthetic systemic toxicity due to elevated plasma drug levels.

A patient with asthma experiences bronchospasm in the dental chair unrelieved by their own inhaler. What is the next step?

Answer: Administer epinephrine 1:1,000 IM and activate EMS

Severe bronchospasm unresponsive to the patient's own bronchodilator requires IM epinephrine and immediate EMS activation.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) analyzes a rhythm and advises 'no shock recommended.' What should the responder do?

Answer: Immediately resume CPR

When the AED advises no shock, CPR should be resumed immediately as the rhythm may be a non-shockable arrest (PEA or asystole).

A patient experiences a tonic-clonic seizure lasting more than 5 minutes. This condition is called:

Answer: Status epilepticus

Status epilepticus is defined as a seizure lasting 5 minutes or more and is a medical emergency requiring immediate EMS.

Which emergency drug in the dental office is used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression?

Answer: Naloxone (Narcan)

Naloxone (Narcan) is a competitive opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses respiratory depression caused by opioid medications.