DANB CDA DANB CDA Oral Pathology and Dental Emergencies 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the correct first step when a patient experiences syncope (fainting) in the dental chair?
- Administer oxygen immediately
- Place the patient in a supine (reclined) position with legs elevated (Correct answer)
- Call 911 first
- Give the patient water to drink
Correct answer: Place the patient in a supine (reclined) position with legs elevated
Syncope is managed by immediately placing the patient supine with legs slightly elevated to restore blood flow to the brain, followed by loosening tight clothing and monitoring vitals.
Question 2: A white, non-wipeable lesion on the oral mucosa that cannot be classified as any other condition is termed:
- Erythroplakia
- Leukoplakia (Correct answer)
- Aphthous ulcer
- Herpetic lesion
Correct answer: Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia is defined as a white patch or plaque on the oral mucosa that cannot be wiped off or characterized as any other diagnosable condition, and it carries a risk of malignant transformation.
Question 3: A patient reports crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm during a dental appointment. The dental assistant should:
- Continue the procedure while monitoring the patient
- Discontinue treatment, activate EMS (911), and prepare the emergency kit (Correct answer)
- Administer nitroglycerin immediately without checking history
- Have the patient walk to the reception area to rest
Correct answer: Discontinue treatment, activate EMS (911), and prepare the emergency kit
Signs of a myocardial infarction (heart attack) require immediate discontinuation of dental treatment, calling 911, keeping the patient calm, and preparing emergency oxygen and the AED.
Question 4: Herpetic whitlow in a dental healthcare worker is caused by contact of which virus with a break in the skin?
- Hepatitis B virus
- HIV
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) (Correct answer)
- Varicella-zoster virus
Correct answer: Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Herpetic whitlow is an HSV infection of the fingers or hands, commonly acquired by dental workers through contact with infected oral secretions when not wearing gloves.
Question 5: What is the clinical appearance of an aphthous ulcer (canker sore)?
- White, non-wipeable plaque on attached gingiva
- Painful, round ulcer with a gray-white pseudomembrane and red halo on movable mucosa (Correct answer)
- Fluid-filled vesicle on the lip vermilion
- Painless firm nodule on the tongue
Correct answer: Painful, round ulcer with a gray-white pseudomembrane and red halo on movable mucosa
Aphthous ulcers appear as painful, well-defined, round-to-oval ulcers with a necrotic gray-white center surrounded by an erythematous halo, typically on movable oral mucosa.
Question 6: Which systemic condition is most closely associated with delayed healing after a tooth extraction?
- Hypertension
- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (Correct answer)
- Seasonal allergies
- Mild anemia
Correct answer: Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
Uncontrolled diabetes impairs wound healing due to compromised vascular supply, reduced immune response, and altered collagen synthesis, leading to delayed post-extraction healing.
DANB CDA DANB CDA Oral Pathology and Dental Emergencies 1
Which of the following is the correct first step when a patient experiences syncope (fainting) in the dental chair?