EFDA EFDA Pharmacology & Pain Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of local anesthetic injection is used to anesthetize the pulpal tissue of mandibular posterior teeth?
- Infiltration injection
- Inferior alveolar nerve block (Correct answer)
- Incisive nerve block
- Mental nerve block
Correct answer: Inferior alveolar nerve block
The inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) anesthetizes the inferior alveolar nerve, providing pulpal anesthesia to mandibular teeth on the injected side.
Question 2: An EFDA notices a patient's heart rate has significantly increased after a local anesthetic injection. This is most likely due to:
- Allergic reaction to lidocaine
- Intravascular injection of epinephrine (Correct answer)
- Overdose of acetaminophen
- Vagovagal syncope
Correct answer: Intravascular injection of epinephrine
Accidental intravascular injection of epinephrine can cause a sudden increase in heart rate (tachycardia) and blood pressure.
Question 3: Which medication class is commonly prescribed to reduce anxiety before dental procedures?
- NSAIDs
- Antibiotics
- Benzodiazepines (Correct answer)
- Antihistamines
Correct answer: Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines such as triazolam or diazepam are used for oral conscious sedation to reduce preoperative dental anxiety.
Question 4: What is the drug of first choice for treating an anaphylactic reaction in a dental office?
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Epinephrine (1:1,000) (Correct answer)
- Cortisone
- Aspirin
Correct answer: Epinephrine (1:1,000)
Epinephrine 1:1,000 administered intramuscularly is the first-line emergency treatment for anaphylaxis due to its rapid bronchodilation and vasopressor effects.
Question 5: Which antibiotic is the drug of choice for prophylaxis before dental procedures in patients at risk for infective endocarditis?
- Tetracycline
- Ciprofloxacin
- Amoxicillin (Correct answer)
- Metronidazole
Correct answer: Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin 2 g orally one hour before the procedure is the current AHA-recommended prophylaxis for at-risk cardiac patients.
Question 6: Which dental drug interaction requires the EFDA to alert the dentist before administering a local anesthetic with epinephrine?
- Patient takes aspirin daily
- Patient takes non-selective beta-blockers (Correct answer)
- Patient takes vitamin C supplements
- Patient takes antacids
Correct answer: Patient takes non-selective beta-blockers
Non-selective beta-blockers can potentiate the vasopressor effect of epinephrine, causing a significant hypertensive episode.
EFDA EFDA Pharmacology & Pain Management 2
Which type of local anesthetic injection is used to anesthetize the pulpal tissue of mandibular posterior teeth?