Patient Assessment and Preparation Flashcards

Which finding during a pre-anesthesia assessment of a pediatric patient would most warrant postponing sedation?

Answer: Active upper respiratory tract infection with productive cough

An active upper respiratory infection increases airway reactivity and secretions, significantly raising the risk of airway complications during sedation.

A patient's health history reveals use of St. John's Wort. Why is this significant before administering sedation?

Answer: It can induce CYP3A4 enzymes, reducing effectiveness of some sedatives

St. John's Wort induces cytochrome P450 enzymes, which can accelerate metabolism of benzodiazepines and other sedatives, reducing their efficacy.

When obtaining informed consent for sedation, which element is most essential to document?

Answer: The patient's understanding of risks, benefits, and alternatives

Valid informed consent requires documentation that the patient understands and voluntarily agrees to the risks, benefits, and alternatives of the proposed sedation.

A patient weighing 95 kg is scheduled for moderate sedation. Drug dosing should be based primarily on which weight measure?

Answer: Adjusted body weight for obese patients

For obese patients, adjusted body weight is preferred for dosing many sedatives to avoid overdosing based on excess adipose tissue.

Which pre-procedure task is the dental anesthesia assistant primarily responsible for regarding equipment?

Answer: Verifying that emergency drugs and resuscitation equipment are functional and accessible

The dental anesthesia assistant's key equipment responsibility is ensuring all emergency drugs and resuscitation equipment are present, functional, and immediately accessible before sedation begins.

A patient reports a previous adverse reaction described as 'waking up in the middle of surgery.' Which pre-anesthesia step is most relevant to this history?

Answer: Documenting the event and discussing anesthesia awareness history with the supervising dentist-anesthesiologist

A history suggesting anesthesia awareness must be documented and communicated to the supervising provider to inform sedation planning and monitoring strategy.

Before starting an IV line for sedation, which patient assessment finding most directly guides selection of IV catheter size?

Answer: Visible and palpable vein quality and size

IV catheter gauge selection is based on the actual size and condition of the patient's accessible veins to ensure successful cannulation.