Patient Assessment & Evaluation Flashcards
7 cards from real COM 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 & Evaluation flashcards as text
During clinical observation of lip posture, which finding is considered the primary indicator of habitual mouth breathing?
Answer: Slight parting of lips at rest with no visible tongue
Habitual mouth breathing is primarily indicated by habitual lip parting at rest, often accompanied by reduced lip tone.
When assessing tongue resting posture, the clinician notes the tongue tip contacts the lower incisors. This is most consistent with:
Answer: Anterior tongue thrust
Anterior tongue thrust is characterized by the tongue tip resting against or between the lower (or upper) incisors rather than at the palatal spot.
Which assessment tool is most commonly used in orofacial myology to quantify lip seal strength?
Answer: Button-pull test with calibrated gauge
The button-pull test using a calibrated force gauge provides an objective measure of orbicularis oris (lip seal) strength.
A COM assessment reveals that a 9-year-old patient has an open bite. Which additional assessment is most critical before beginning orofacial myofunctional therapy?
Answer: Dental occlusion classification by an orthodontist
Skeletal or dental contributions to the open bite must be evaluated by an orthodontist before myofunctional therapy begins to determine appropriate case management.
During nasal airflow assessment, the clinician holds a mirror under the patient's nose during quiet breathing. What does fogging on both sides of the mirror indicate?
Answer: Patent nasal airway bilaterally
Bilateral fogging on the mirror indicates airflow is exiting both nares, confirming a patent nasal airway.
When documenting frenum evaluation findings, which term describes a lingual frenum that restricts tongue elevation to the palate but allows protrusion past the lower incisors?
Answer: Class II ankyloglossia
Class II ankyloglossia allows some protrusion but restricts vertical tongue elevation; Kotlow's classification differentiates tethered tissue severity.
A COM evaluates a patient's swallowing pattern and observes mentalis muscle contraction. This finding most likely indicates:
Answer: Anterior tongue thrust swallow
Mentalis (chin) muscle contraction during swallowing is a compensatory behavior associated with anterior tongue thrust as the patient strains to achieve lip seal.