MCQs on Medical Emergencies in Dentistry: Asthma and Hyperventilation

🧠 MCQs on Medical Emergencies in Dentistry: Asthma and Hyperventilation

General Medical Emergencies

1. Which of the following is one of the most common medical emergencies in dental offices?
   A. Seizures
   B. Stroke
   C. Asthma attack
   D. Myocardial infarction
   
2. What is the first step when a medical emergency occurs in the dental chair?
   A. Administer medication
   B. Stop all dental treatment
   C. Start CPR
   D. Ask the patient to breathe faster
   
3. What percentage of dental clinics report at least one medical emergency annually?
   A. 10%
   B. 25%
   C. 44%
   D. 60%
   
4. Which vital emergency equipment should be present in every dental clinic?
   A. ECG machine
   B. Oxygen tank and epinephrine
   C. Dental scaler
   D. Suction tip only
   
5. Which of the following is not a common trigger of dental emergencies?
   A. Pain
   B. Anxiety
   C. Infection
   D. Fluoride treatment

Medical Emergencies in Dentistry: Asthma and Hyperventilation

Asthma

6. Asthma is primarily a:
   A. Cardiac condition
   B. Respiratory condition
   C. Digestive condition
   D. Neurological condition
   
7. What causes airway obstruction in asthma?
   A. Foreign body
   B. Bronchial inflammation and mucus
   C. Blood clots
   D. Dental instruments
   
8. The most common form of asthma is:
   A. Intrinsic
   B. Extrinsic
   C. Infectious
   D. Chronic obstructive
   
9. Intrinsic asthma usually begins:
   A. At birth
   B. In early childhood
   C. After age 35
   D. During puberty
   
10. A patient with intrinsic asthma may have:
    A. No symptoms between attacks
    B. Chronic cough with sputum
    C. Fainting spells
    D. Seizures

Asthma Management

11. What should be done first during an asthma attack in the dental chair?
    A. Administer epinephrine
    B. Stop treatment and remove materials
    C. Call EMS
    D. Perform CPR
    
12. The correct patient position during an asthma attack is:
    A. Supine
    B. Upright
    C. Prone
    D. Trendelenburg
    
13. The primary medication used by patients during an asthma attack is:
    A. Epinephrine
    B. Oxygen
    C. Salbutamol inhaler (bronchodilator)
    D. Diazepam
    
14. If the inhaler is ineffective, the next drug administered is:
    A. Epinephrine
    B. Nitroglycerin
    C. Atropine
    D. Antibiotic
    
15. What dose of epinephrine is typically given to adults during an asthma emergency?
    A. 0.1 mL
    B. 0.3–0.5 mL of 1:1000 IM
    C. 1.5 mL
    D. 10 mL

Asthma and Oral Health

16. Which oral complication is linked to asthma inhaler use?
    A. Oral candidiasis
    B. Halitosis
    C. Gingival recession
    D. Aphthous ulcers
    
17. What advice should be given after using an inhaler?
    A. Drink soda
    B. Swallow water
    C. Rinse mouth with water
    D. Avoid brushing teeth
    
18. Asthma medications can increase the risk of:
    A. Periodontitis
    B. Dental caries
    C. Tooth erosion
    D. TMJ pain Dry mouth from medication leads to more caries.

Hyperventilation

19. Hyperventilation is most often caused by:
    A. Allergic reaction
    B. Anxiety or stress
    C. Diabetes
    D. Infection
    
20. Hyperventilation leads to:
    A. Increase in CO₂
    B. Decrease in CO₂
    C. Hypoglycemia
    D. Bradycardia
    
21. What acid-base imbalance occurs during hyperventilation?
    A. Metabolic acidosis
    B. Respiratory alkalosis due to excess CO₂ loss
    C. Metabolic alkalosis
    D. Respiratory acidosis
    
22. Which of the following is NOT a symptom of hyperventilation?
    A. Tingling in hands
    B. Chest tightness
    C. Dizziness
    D. Cyanosis
    
23. What is the first management step in a hyperventilation episode?
    A. Administer oxygen
    B. Stop treatment and calm patient
    C. Inject epinephrine
    D. Lay the patient flat
    
24. The patient should be instructed to:
    A. Breathe faster
    B. Breathe slowly and hold breath briefly
    C. Drink cold water
    D. Use inhaler
    
25. Oxygen should be given to a hyperventilating patient:
    A. Immediately
    B. Never
    C. Only with epinephrine
    D. After 10 minutes

Hyperventilation—Advanced Management

26. In severe cases, which drug may be used to calm a hyperventilating patient?
    A. Epinephrine
    B. Diazepam
    C. Salbutamol
    D. Nitroglycerin
    
27. What breathing technique is best for hyperventilation?
    A. Mouth-only breathing
    B. Slow, controlled breathing
    C. Shallow gasps
    D. Holding breath indefinitely
    
28. Which age group is least likely to hyperventilate?
    A. Children
    B. Teenagers
    C. Adults
    D. Elderly

Emergency Readiness

29. How often should emergency kits in dental clinics be checked?
    A. Monthly
    B. Annually
    C. Regularly, per office policy
    D. Never
    
30. What essential drug is used in both asthma and anaphylaxis?
    A. Epinephrine
    B. Diazepam
    C. Nitroglycerin
    D. Atropine

True/False

31. Hyperventilation leads to respiratory acidosis.
    A. True
    B. False It leads to respiratory alkalosis.
    
32. Asthma is usually triggered by lack of oxygen.
    A. True
    B. False It’s caused by airway inflammation and constriction, not oxygen lack alone.
    
33. Bronchodilators help open the airways in asthma.
    A. True
    B. False They relax the bronchial muscles.
    
34. It is safe to give oxygen to all patients during an emergency.
    A. True
    B. False Hyperventilating patients should not receive oxygen.
    
35. Hyperventilation is common in nervous dental patients.
    A. True
    B. False Anxiety is the main trigger.