Emergency Procedures & Response Flashcards
7 cards from real CDC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Emergency Procedures & Response flashcards as text
A patient with a known pacemaker requires an emergency procedure. Which dental device poses a potential risk of interference?
Answer: Electrosurgery units and ultrasonic scalers
Both electrosurgery units and ultrasonic scalers can emit electromagnetic interference that may affect pacemaker function.
A patient develops angina pectoris in the dental chair. After stopping treatment and positioning the patient upright, what is the next pharmacologic step?
Answer: Administer sublingual nitroglycerin 0.3–0.4 mg
Sublingual nitroglycerin dilates coronary vessels to relieve ischemic chest pain and is the first-line drug for stable angina attacks.
A patient presents with stroke-like symptoms including facial droop, arm weakness, and slurred speech during a dental visit. What action should be taken?
Answer: Activate EMS immediately and note the time symptoms began
Stroke is a time-critical emergency; EMS must be activated immediately and symptom onset time documented to guide thrombolytic therapy eligibility.
Which sign differentiates hyperventilation syndrome from true respiratory distress in a dental patient?
Answer: Peripheral tingling and carpopedal spasm
Peripheral tingling and carpopedal spasm result from hypocapnia (low CO2) caused by hyperventilation, distinguishing it from pathologic respiratory distress.
When should an emergency drug kit in a dental office be replaced or restocked?
Answer: After every use and before expiration dates
Emergency drug kits must be restocked immediately after any use and checked regularly to ensure all drugs are within their expiration dates.
A patient in the third trimester of pregnancy loses consciousness in the dental chair. Before initiating CPR, what positional modification is critical?
Answer: Tilt the patient's hips 15–30 degrees to the left side
Left lateral uterine displacement of 15–30 degrees relieves aortocaval compression by the gravid uterus, improving cardiac output during resuscitation.
A patient develops a hypertensive crisis (BP 210/130) with severe headache and visual changes in the dental office. The most appropriate immediate action is:
Answer: Activate EMS for emergency transport and do not give any medications
Hypertensive emergency with end-organ symptoms (neurological or visual) requires immediate EMS activation; dentists should not attempt rapid pharmacologic reduction.