Unit 4 Test Review (more focused on what MAY be on the test)

Not a full guarantee all of this will be on the test!

What is the patient’s record, and who owns it?

A legal document owned by the attending dentist.

What must the dentist record before treatment?

The patient’s personal, dental, and medical information.

What information goes on a patient registration form?

Personal information, such as the patient’s name, contact details, and other identifying information.

What information goes on a health history form?

The patient’s medical conditions, medications, allergies, and other health information.

What information goes on a dental history form?

The patient’s past dental care, dental problems, and oral health history.

What does a patient’s gait mean?

The way the patient walks.

What do you observe when examining a patient’s eyes?

Whether the pupils are normal, dilated, or constricted.

What speech patterns may be observed during an examination?

Slurred speech, stuttering, or normal speech.

What is the vermilion border?

The border between the lips and the surrounding skin; check for lesions, scars, or signs of cleft-lip repair.

What problems are checked when palpating the TMJ?

Popping, clicking, difficulty opening the mouth, and pain.

What are cervical lymph nodes, and what might swelling indicate?

Lymph nodes in the neck; swelling may indicate lymphadenopathy or a head or neck infection.

What hard lumps may be found when palpating the lips and cheeks?

A cyst, tumor, or sialolith (salivary stone).

What are vital signs also called?

Life signs.

What are the four main vital signs?

Pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature.

What is pulse measured in?

Beats per minute (BPM).

How is a pulse measured?

By feeling an artery and counting heartbeats per minute.

Where is the radial pulse found?

On the thumb side of the wrist.

Where is the carotid pulse found?

Along the front edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the neck.

Where is the brachial pulse found?

On the inner side of the upper arm.

Where is the temporal pulse found?

On the side of the head, in front of and slightly above the ear.

What is a normal adult pulse rate according to the review sheet?

60–100 BPM.

What is bradycardia?

A heart rate that is too slow.

What is tachycardia?

A heart rate that is too fast.

What is blood pressure measured in, and how is it written?

Millimeters of mercury (mmHg), written as systolic over diastolic.

What equipment is used to measure blood pressure?

A sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) and a stethoscope.

What is the brachial artery?

An artery in the upper arm that divides into the radial and ulnar arteries below the elbow.

Where should the blood pressure cuff be placed?

About 1 inch above the antecubital space (the bend of the elbow).

Which way should the stethoscope earpieces point?

Forward.

What adult blood pressure does the review sheet list as normal?

Below 120 systolic and below 80 diastolic mmHg.

What is respiratory rate?

The number of breaths per minute.

What adult respiratory rate does the review sheet list as normal?

10–20 breaths per minute.

What is inhalation?

Breathing in.

What is exhalation?

Breathing out.

What is tachypnea?

A breathing rate that is too fast.

What is bradypnea?

A breathing rate that is too slow.

What is hyperventilation?

Breathing too rapidly or deeply.

What is body temperature, and what average adult temperature does the review sheet give?

The body’s core temperature; the review sheet gives 98.6°F as the average.

What can affect a temperature reading?

Exercise, emotions, and eating or drinking something hot or cold before an oral temperature is taken.

How is a manual oral thermometer used, according to the review sheet?

Cover it with a barrier and place it under the tongue; discard the barrier in biohazardous waste.

What is hypothermia?

A body core temperature that is too low.

What is hyperthermia?

A body core temperature that is too high.

What is an antipyretic?

A medication used to reduce fever; the review sheet gives aspirin as an example.

What is pharmacology?

The study of drugs.

Are all drugs medications, and are all medications drugs?

All medications are drugs, but not all drugs are medications.

How does the review sheet define addiction?

Physical dependence on a drug.

What does “habit-forming” mean in the review sheet?

A drug can cause psychological dependence.

What drug reference books should a dental office keep?

The Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR) and Mosby’s Dental Drug Book.

Which organizations gather information about drugs used in dentistry?

The FDA and the Council on Dental Therapeutics.

What is the Pure Food and Drug Act described as doing in the review sheet?

Helping ensure medications are safe for public use.

What is the most common route for taking medication?

The oral route.

How is nitrous oxide administered?

By inhalation as a gas.

What medication is nystatin used to treat?

Oral candidiasis, a fungal infection of the mouth.

What does b.i.d. mean?

Twice a day.

What does q.i.d. mean?

Four times a day.

What is the difference between stimulants and depressants?

Stimulants speed up metabolic processes; depressants slow them down.

What are analgesics?

Painkillers.

What is aspirin also called?

Acetylsalicylic acid.

What is Tylenol’s generic name?

Acetaminophen.

What are Advil and Motrin?

Brand names for ibuprofen, a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory.

What are non-narcotic painkillers used for, according to the review sheet?

Mild to moderate pain; the sheet lists aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen as examples.

What narcotic painkillers are listed in the review sheet?

Codeine, morphine, Vicodin, oxycodone, and fentanyl.

How many levels are in the federal drug schedule?

Five levels.

What does the review sheet say about Schedule I drugs?

It says they have no medical use and are illegal.

What does the review sheet say about Schedule V drugs?

It says they can be purchased over the counter without a prescription.

What is a drug?

A chemical that changes life processes.

What is a medicine?

A substance used to treat a disease.

What is a side effect?

An unintended physiological response or result.

What is a drug interaction?

An unintended response caused when one drug changes the action of another drug.

What are the four parts of a prescription listed in the review sheet?

Heading, superscription, RX body, and closing.

What information is in the heading of a prescription?

The doctor’s name, address, and phone number.

What information is in the superscription?

The patient’s name, address, phone number, age, and gender.

What information is in the RX body?

The medication, dosage, and quantity prescribed.

What information is in the closing of a prescription?

The doctor’s signature, date, and number of allowable refills.

What is a subcutaneous (SC) injection?

An injection under the skin into fatty tissue.

What is an intradermal (ID) injection?

An injection between the layers of skin.

What is an intramuscular (IM) injection?

An injection into a muscle.

What is an intravenous (IV) injection?

An injection into a blood vessel.

What is the most common medical emergency listed for a dental office?

Foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO).

What is the universal signal for choking?

Clutching the throat with both hands.

What is syncope?

Fainting; the review sheet links it to vasodepression (low blood pressure).

What symptoms may occur with syncope?

Dizziness, nausea, weakness, or unconsciousness.

What should dental staff do if a patient faints or becomes unresponsive?

Follow the office emergency plan, assess responsiveness and breathing, get emergency help as needed, and follow current CPR/first-aid training.

What causes asthma-related breathlessness?

Narrowing of the bronchioles.

What medication is listed for an asthma attack?

Albuterol, also called Ventolin, in an inhaler.

What should a patient with asthma do with their inhaler during dental treatment?

Keep it accessible, as the review sheet instructs.

What should the dental assistant watch for before a medical emergency?

Changes in pupils or eyes, gait, speech, and signs of anxiety.

What should a dental office emergency plan include?

Staff roles, who calls 911 and meets responders, who stays with the patient, and the locations and use of emergency supplies and oxygen.

What should be done first when a patient has a medical emergency?

Remove items from the patient’s mouth if safe to do so, assess the situation, and call 911 when indicated.

What should be checked after the initial response to a medical emergency?

The patient’s vital signs, airway, and breathing.

What is CPR?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, used when a person needs emergency support for circulation and breathing.

What compression rate does the review sheet list for CPR?

100–120 compressions per minute.

Where does the review sheet say chest compressions should be performed?

On the lower third of the sternum (breastbone).

What compression-to-breath ratio does the review sheet list?

30 compressions to 2 breaths.

What does AED stand for?

Automated External Defibrillator.

What is an AED used for?

It checks the heart rhythm and can deliver a shock when a shockable rhythm is detected; follow its prompts and emergency training.

What is an allergic reaction?

An abnormal body response to a substance that triggers an immune reaction.

What are allergens and histamines?

Allergens trigger an immune response; histamines can cause swelling and other allergy symptoms.

What is anaphylactic shock?

A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.

What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes according to the review sheet?

Type 1 involves the pancreas not making enough insulin and often requires insulin injections; Type 2 involves problems making or using insulin and may be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.

What is arteriosclerosis?

Hardening and narrowing of arteries.