RDA Dental Pharmacology and Pain Management

Question 1

A patient reports taking warfarin (Coumadin). Which concern is most relevant to the dental team before any invasive procedure?

Accepted Answer

The patient has an elevated risk of prolonged bleeding due to anticoagulation

Answer

The patient may experience increased sensitivity to local anesthetics

Answer

The patient may have a reduced response to antibiotics

Answer

The patient is at higher risk for a hypertensive crisis in the chair

Question 2

Epinephrine is added to local anesthetic cartridges primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Cause vasoconstriction, which prolongs anesthetic duration and reduces systemic absorption

Answer

Reduce the risk of allergic reaction to the anesthetic

Answer

Lower the patient's blood pressure during the procedure

Answer

Prevent post-operative infection at the injection site

Question 3

Amoxicillin is the first-line antibiotic for dental infection prophylaxis in eligible patients with cardiac conditions. For a patient who is allergic to penicillin, which antibiotic is the standard alternative?

Accepted Answer

Clindamycin

Answer

Metronidazole (Flagyl)

Answer

Ciprofloxacin

Answer

Tetracycline

Question 4

A patient who takes an SSRI antidepressant asks if they can take ibuprofen for post-operative pain. The dental assistant should advise them to:

Accepted Answer

Consult the prescribing physician, as SSRIs combined with NSAIDs increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding

Answer

Take ibuprofen freely—SSRIs have no interaction with NSAIDs

Answer

Avoid all pain medications because SSRIs cause extreme sensitivity to analgesics

Answer

Use ibuprofen only at double the normal dose to overcome the interaction

Question 5

Which category of drugs can cause gingival hyperplasia (overgrowth of gum tissue) as a side effect, requiring close attention during periodontal assessment?

Accepted Answer

Calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine)

Answer

Beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol)

Answer

ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril)

Answer

Diuretics (e.g., furosemide)

Question 6

The maximum recommended dose of lidocaine (2% with 1:100,000 epinephrine) for a healthy adult is approximately 4.4 mg/kg, not to exceed 300 mg. If a cartridge contains 36 mg of lidocaine, what is the maximum number of cartridges that can be administered to a 70 kg healthy adult?

Accepted Answer

8 cartridges

Answer

2 cartridges

Answer

4 cartridges

Answer

10 cartridges