DANB Patient Medical History & Infection Risk Assessment Flashcards
6 cards from real DANB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 DANB Patient Medical History & Infection Risk Assessment flashcards as text
Which patient population requires special consideration in dental infection control due to increased susceptibility to infection?
Answer: Immunocompromised patients (transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy)
Immunocompromised patients are at significantly higher risk of infection from even routine dental procedures, requiring careful assessment, possible antibiotic prophylaxis, and meticulous infection control.
A dental team member has an active respiratory illness with fever. The appropriate action is:
Answer: Stay home until fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication
Dental workers with active respiratory illness and fever should stay home until fever-free for at least 24 hours without antipyretics to prevent transmitting illness to patients and colleagues.
What is the term used for infections acquired in a healthcare setting (including dental offices)?
Answer: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving healthcare in any setting, including dental offices, that were not present before care began.
A patient discloses they are currently undergoing chemotherapy. How does this affect dental infection control planning?
Answer: Consider immunosuppression, need for antibiotic prophylaxis, and heightened risk of HAIs; coordinate with oncologist if needed
Chemotherapy causes immunosuppression, which increases HAI risk; consultation with the oncologist may be needed to determine if antibiotic prophylaxis is required and to time procedures appropriately.
Which of the following is classified as a 'droplet precaution' situation relevant to dental settings?
Answer: Patients with influenza or other respiratory pathogens transmitted by respiratory droplets
Influenza and other respiratory illnesses transmitted by large respiratory droplets require droplet precautions (surgical mask, potential deferral of elective care) in dental settings.
What does the concept of 'chain of infection' teach dental infection control professionals?
Answer: Breaking any link in the chain (source, transmission, susceptible host) can prevent infection
The chain of infection model shows that interrupting any single link — such as the infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, or susceptible host — can prevent infection from occurring.