Pharmacology & Medication Management Flashcards

A patient taking warfarin requires dental extractions. Which analgesic is MOST appropriate to prescribe for post-operative pain?

Answer: Acetaminophen 500mg

Acetaminophen does not affect platelet function or INR, making it the safest analgesic choice for patients on warfarin.

Which opioid analgesic is contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)?

Answer: Meperidine

Meperidine combined with MAOIs can cause a life-threatening serotonin syndrome characterized by hyperthermia, seizures, and cardiovascular collapse.

A dental patient reports allergy to penicillin with a history of anaphylaxis. Which antibiotic is the BEST alternative for prophylaxis?

Answer: Clindamycin

Clindamycin is recommended for patients with a history of anaphylaxis to penicillin because cephalosporins carry cross-reactivity risk in such cases.

Which local anesthetic agent has the LONGEST duration of action for dental nerve blocks?

Answer: Bupivacaine 0.5%

Bupivacaine has the longest duration of action among dental local anesthetics, providing 4–9 hours of pulpal anesthesia.

What is the maximum recommended dose of epinephrine in a local anesthetic for a patient with significant cardiovascular disease?

Answer: 0.04 mg

The AHA/ADA guidelines recommend limiting epinephrine to 0.04 mg (2 cartridges of 1:100,000) in patients with significant cardiovascular disease.

A patient is prescribed azithromycin for a dental infection. Which drug interaction is MOST clinically significant?

Answer: Warfarin

Azithromycin inhibits CYP enzymes and can increase warfarin levels, raising the risk of bleeding complications.

Which benzodiazepine is MOST commonly used for oral conscious sedation in dentistry due to its intermediate half-life?

Answer: Triazolam

Triazolam is widely used for oral sedation in dentistry because of its rapid onset, intermediate duration, and amnesic properties.