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General Practice Flashcards

7 cards from real NBDE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 General Practice flashcards as text

  1. Which class of antibiotics inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins?

    Answer: Beta-lactams

    Beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins) inhibit transpeptidation by binding to penicillin-binding proteins, preventing cross-linking of peptidoglycan in the bacterial cell wall.

  2. A patient develops an allergic reaction to amoxicillin. Which antibiotic is the BEST alternative for a dental infection?

    Answer: Clindamycin

    Clindamycin is the preferred alternative for penicillin-allergic patients in dentistry due to its activity against oral anaerobes and streptococci without cross-reactivity.

  3. In which patient population is nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation contraindicated?

    Answer: Patients with COPD relying on hypoxic drive

    Patients with severe COPD who depend on hypoxic drive for respiratory stimulation may have respiratory depression suppressed by supplemental oxygen delivered with nitrous oxide.

  4. What is the significance of the 'danger space' (space 4) in the context of deep neck infections?

    Answer: It provides a direct pathway for infection to spread to the posterior mediastinum

    The danger space (space 4) extends from the skull base to the diaphragm, providing a direct pathway for infection to spread into the posterior mediastinum, making it life-threatening.

  5. A child presents after a fall with an avulsed permanent maxillary central incisor. The tooth has been out of the socket for 35 minutes and was stored dry. What is the best immediate action?

    Answer: Soak in Hank's balanced salt solution for 30 minutes, then reimplant

    Teeth dry for more than 60 minutes have non-viable PDL cells; soaking in HBSS or milk for 30 minutes can help rehydrate cells and improve prognosis before reimplantation.

  6. Which of the following instruments is used to detect subgingival calculus during a periodontal examination?

    Answer: Explorer (shepherd's hook)

    A dental explorer, particularly the #17 or #3A shepherd's hook, is the instrument of choice for tactile detection of subgingival calculus deposits.

  7. A patient presents with a chief complaint of pain on biting and extreme sensitivity to cold that lingers for 30+ seconds. The most likely diagnosis is:

    Answer: Irreversible pulpitis

    Lingering cold pain lasting more than 10–15 seconds, combined with spontaneous pain, is a hallmark of irreversible pulpitis, indicating pulpectomy or extraction is required.