Patient Assessment & Care Planning Flashcards

During medical history review, a patient reports taking warfarin. What is the primary concern for dental treatment?

Answer: Prolonged bleeding time

Warfarin is an anticoagulant that prolongs bleeding time, requiring coordination with the patient's physician before invasive procedures.

When assessing a patient's blood pressure, the reading is 142/91 mmHg. How should this be classified according to AHA guidelines?

Answer: Stage 1 hypertension

A reading of 130-139/80-89 mmHg is Stage 1 hypertension; 142/91 falls within Stage 2 (≥140/≥90) per AHA guidelines.

Which component of the extraoral examination involves palpating the lymph nodes of the neck?

Answer: Cervical lymph node palpation

Cervical lymph node palpation is performed during the extraoral exam to detect enlargement that may indicate infection or malignancy.

A patient presents with a chief complaint of sensitivity to cold that lingers for 30 seconds. Which pulpal diagnosis is most consistent with this finding?

Answer: Irreversible pulpitis

Lingering pain after cold stimulation lasting more than a few seconds indicates irreversible pulpitis, suggesting the pulp cannot heal.

What does the ASA Physical Status Classification System assess?

Answer: Patient's overall medical risk for dental treatment

The ASA classification (I–VI) categorizes a patient's systemic health status to guide risk assessment before procedures.

During the intraoral soft tissue exam, you note a white patch on the lateral border of the tongue that cannot be wiped off. What is the appropriate action?

Answer: Refer for biopsy

Leukoplakia that cannot be wiped off should be referred for biopsy to rule out dysplasia or malignancy.

Which index is used to measure the extent and severity of periodontal disease in a patient's mouth?

Answer: Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR)

The PSR (Periodontal Screening and Recording) is a quick screening index using a WHO probe to assess periodontal health across six sextants.