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
The orofacial myologist is evaluating a patient post-frenectomy. Which assessment finding would indicate adequate healing and readiness to begin active tongue exercises?
Answer: Healed incision site with improved tongue elevation to at least 50% of mouth opening
Post-frenectomy readiness for active exercises is typically indicated by adequate wound healing and measurable improvement in tongue range of motion, usually assessed by tongue elevation relative to mouth opening.
When assessing facial symmetry during orofacial myofunctional evaluation, the clinician notes the chin deviates to the right upon mouth opening. This finding most commonly suggests:
Answer: Right temporomandibular joint dysfunction or mandibular asymmetry
Mandibular deviation on opening typically indicates TMJ dysfunction, disc displacement, or bony asymmetry on the side toward which the jaw deviates.
A COM practitioner uses the TRMR (Tongue Range of Motion Ratio) to assess tongue mobility. What two measurements are used to calculate this ratio?
Answer: Maximum mouth opening and maximum tongue elevation height
The TRMR divides maximum tongue tip elevation by maximum inter-incisal distance (mouth opening), providing a normalized mobility index.
During a speech screening as part of an orofacial myofunctional evaluation, the clinician notes a /s/ distortion. This finding is most likely associated with:
Answer: Anterior or interdental tongue placement during speech
A distorted /s/ (interdental lisp) is commonly associated with anterior or interdental tongue placement, a frequent finding in patients with tongue thrust patterns.
When reviewing pre-treatment dental records, the COM practitioner notes a steep mandibular plane angle on a lateral cephalogram. This skeletal pattern is most consistent with which orofacial characteristic?
Answer: Dolichocephalic (long face) pattern often associated with open bite and mouth breathing
A steep mandibular plane angle is associated with a dolichocephalic or hyperdivergent facial pattern, commonly seen in chronic mouth breathers with vertical excess.
In documenting the outcome of an initial orofacial myofunctional assessment, which component is essential to establish valid pre-treatment baseline data?
Answer: Standardized photographic and/or video documentation of oral rest postures and swallowing
Standardized photos and video provide objective, reproducible baseline documentation of oral postures and function that can be compared at re-evaluation to measure treatment progress.
A COM practitioner is assessing a patient who recently completed orthodontic treatment but relapsed into an open bite. Which assessment finding would most strongly implicate an orofacial myofunctional etiology for the relapse?
Answer: Persistent anterior tongue thrust swallowing pattern documented throughout retention phase
A persistent tongue thrust exerts continuous pressure against the dentition during thousands of daily swallows, creating relapse forces that overcome orthodontic retention.