EFDA Patient Assessment & Care Planning 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a comprehensive patient assessment, which vital sign measurement is taken to evaluate the patient's heart rate?
- Blood pressure
- Respiratory rate
- Pulse rate (Correct answer)
- Temperature
Correct answer: Pulse rate
Pulse rate measures the number of heartbeats per minute and is a standard vital sign recorded at each dental appointment.
Question 2: A patient with a history of rheumatic fever requires antibiotic premedication before dental procedures. This is to prevent:
- Postoperative dry socket
- Infective endocarditis (Correct answer)
- Allergic reaction to anesthetics
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw
Correct answer: Infective endocarditis
Patients with a history of rheumatic fever may have valvular heart damage, making them susceptible to infective endocarditis from bacteremia during dental procedures.
Question 3: When plotting a patient's gingival contour on a periodontal chart, the free gingival margin (FGM) that is apical to the CEJ indicates:
- Gingival enlargement
- Gingival recession (Correct answer)
- Normal sulcus depth
- Pseudo-pocketing
Correct answer: Gingival recession
When the free gingival margin is apical to the cementoenamel junction, root surface is exposed, indicating gingival recession.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the 'problem list' in a comprehensive treatment plan?
- To list all dental materials that will be used
- To summarize all identified dental and medical issues requiring attention (Correct answer)
- To document the patient's payment method
- To record the referring dentist's information
Correct answer: To summarize all identified dental and medical issues requiring attention
The problem list consolidates all identified clinical findings, both dental and systemic, that must be addressed in the treatment plan.
Question 5: Which radiograph is MOST useful for detecting proximal caries in the posterior teeth?
- Periapical radiograph
- Bitewing radiograph (Correct answer)
- Panoramic radiograph
- Occlusal radiograph
Correct answer: Bitewing radiograph
Bitewing radiographs provide optimal visualization of interproximal contact areas where early proximal caries develop in posterior teeth.
Question 6: A patient presents with generalized stippling loss and rolled gingival margins. These findings are most consistent with:
- Healthy periodontium
- Gingivitis (Correct answer)
- Moderate periodontitis
- Aggressive periodontitis
Correct answer: Gingivitis
Loss of stippling (the orange-peel texture of healthy gingiva) and rolled margins are classic signs of gingival inflammation consistent with gingivitis.
Question 7: When documenting a patient's occlusion, Angle Class II division 1 malocclusion is characterized by:
- The mesiobuccal cusp of the upper first molar occluding in the buccal groove of the lower first molar
- The lower arch is distal to the upper arch with protruding maxillary incisors (Correct answer)
- The lower arch is mesial to the upper arch
- Crossbite of the posterior teeth only
Correct answer: The lower arch is distal to the upper arch with protruding maxillary incisors
Class II division 1 features a distal relationship of the mandible with flared/protruding maxillary incisors and a large overjet.
EFDA Patient Assessment & Care Planning 5
During a comprehensive patient assessment, which vital sign measurement is taken to evaluate the patient's heart rate?