Preanesthetic Assessment in Dental Hygiene

A dental hygienist is reviewing a patient’s preanesthetic data and discovers a need to change the dental hygiene care plan. What is the most likely reason for this modification?

• The patient requested a different dental hygienist

• The preanesthetic assessment indicated a medical condition requiring special consideration

• The dental office is closing early

• The patient forgot to brush their teeth

A nurse finds a patient's pulse to be 110 beats per minute. Using your knowledge of medical terminology, what should the nurse document?

• The patient has bradycardia.

• The patient has tachycardia.

• The patient has a normal pulse.

• The patient has hypertension.

A patient is visibly anxious before a procedure. Based on the information provided, what respiratory issue might you expect to observe, and why?

• Hypoventilation, because anxiety slows breathing

• Hyperventilation, because apprehension can increase breathing rate

• Apnea, because anxiety stops breathing

• Tachycardia, because anxiety affects only the heart

Which of the following is NOT listed as a type of life stress that can impact psychological evaluation in dental settings?

• Divorce

• Death in family

• Trauma

• Asthma

How might a dentist use the information about a patient's past dental experiences during a psychological evaluation?

• To determine the patient's favorite dental procedure

• To assess whether previous experiences were good, bad, or indifferent and adjust care accordingly

• To ignore the patient's history and focus only on current symptoms

• To prescribe medication without further evaluation

What is the definition of pain threshold?

• The point at which a sensation starts to be painful and discomfort results

• The neurologic experience of pain and its transmission to the brain

• The personal interpretation and response to pain

• The process of healing after pain

Which aspect of pain is described as the personal interpretation and response?

• Pain reaction

• Pain threshold

• Pain perception

• Pain transmission

What effect do local anesthetics have when absorbed into the system and prior to biotransformation?

• They only affect the digestive system

• They will affect the CNS and CVS

• They have no effect on the body

• They only affect the respiratory system

What is meant by an "absolute contraindication" to local anesthesia?

• The drug can be administered with caution

• The drug should not be administered under any circumstances due to life-threatening risk

• The drug can be administered in small doses

• The drug is safe for all patients

Why might a healthcare provider choose not to administer a certain local anesthetic drug?

• Because of the increased possibility of an adverse reaction to the drug

• Because the drug is out of stock

• Because the patient is under 18 years old

• Because the procedure is not painful