Patient Care Procedures Flashcards
6 cards from real NDAEB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Patient Care Procedures flashcards as text
A patient with a known latex allergy presents for a dental appointment. Which of the following items must be specifically substituted in the operatory?
Answer: Nitrile examination gloves
Patients with latex allergies require non-latex alternatives for all rubber-containing products. Nitrile gloves are the standard latex-free alternative for examination gloves in dental settings.
When positioning a patient in the supine position for a maxillary procedure, what is the ideal relationship between the patient's head and heart?
Answer: The head and heart should be at approximately the same level
In the supine position for maxillary procedures, the patient's head and heart are at approximately the same level, providing optimal access to the maxillary arch while maintaining patient comfort.
During a medical emergency in the dental office, a patient becomes unresponsive and stops breathing normally. According to Canadian guidelines, what is the first action the dental assistant should take?
Answer: Activate the emergency medical system (call 911) and begin CPR
The Chain of Survival begins with early recognition and activation of emergency services (911), followed immediately by high-quality CPR. This follows the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation's BLS guidelines.
What is the correct sequence for taking a patient's blood pressure reading in a dental office?
Answer: Apply cuff to bare upper arm at heart level, inflate 20-30 mmHg above estimated systolic, deflate at 2-3 mmHg per second
Proper blood pressure technique requires the cuff on bare skin at heart level, inflation above estimated systolic pressure, and controlled deflation at 2-3 mmHg per heartbeat to accurately identify Korotkoff sounds.
A diabetic patient (Type 1) begins showing signs of hypoglycemia during a dental appointment, including sweating, trembling, and confusion. What is the appropriate immediate response?
Answer: Provide an oral glucose source such as orange juice or glucose tablets if the patient can swallow safely
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in a conscious patient who can swallow is treated by providing fast-acting oral glucose. Administering insulin would dangerously lower blood sugar further.
When applying a topical fluoride varnish treatment to a pediatric patient, what is the recommended amount for a child under 6 years of age according to Canadian dental guidelines?
Answer: 0.25 mL applied to all teeth surfaces
For children under 6, the recommended amount of fluoride varnish is 0.25 mL (approximately a pea-sized amount) to minimize fluoride ingestion while providing effective caries prevention.