NDEB - National Dental Examining Board Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 58-year-old male patient with a history of a prosthetic heart valve replacement 2 years ago requires a surgical extraction of a non-restorable tooth.
The patient has a documented allergy to penicillin, which manifests as anaphylaxis.
According to the most current Canadian guidelines for infective endocarditis prophylaxis, which of the following is the most appropriate antibiotic to prescribe?

Accepted Answer

Clindamycin 600mg orally, 1 hour before the procedure

Answer

Cephalexin 2g orally, 1 hour before the procedure

Answer

No antibiotic prophylaxis is required

Answer

Amoxicillin 2g orally, 1 hour before the procedure

Question 2

A 45-year-old patient presents for a dental appointment and reports taking a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), amitriptyline. Which of the following is the most significant consideration when administering a local anesthetic with a vasoconstrictor to this patient?

Accepted Answer

Potentiated pressor effect of the vasoconstrictor

Answer

Increased risk of methemoglobinemia

Answer

Decreased duration of the local anesthetic effect

Answer

Higher likelihood of an allergic reaction to the anesthetic

Question 3

Which of the following is the most common adverse effect associated with the long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen for managing chronic dental pain?

Accepted Answer

Gastrointestinal toxicity

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Answer

Respiratory depression

Answer

Addiction and dependence

Question 4

A patient undergoing a routine dental cleaning suddenly becomes pale, diaphoretic, and reports feeling lightheaded. They then lose consciousness. You place the patient in a supine position with their legs slightly elevated. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis and the immediate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Vasovagal syncope; administer oxygen and monitor vital signs

Answer

Anaphylaxis; administer intramuscular epinephrine

Answer

Hypoglycemia; administer oral glucose

Answer

Myocardial infarction; administer sublingual nitroglycerin

Question 5

A dentist prescribes amoxicillin for a patient with a dental abscess. The patient is also taking an oral contraceptive. What is the most crucial counseling point the dentist must provide regarding this drug combination?

Accepted Answer

The amoxicillin may decrease the efficacy of the oral contraceptive, and a backup method of birth control should be used.

Answer

The amoxicillin will cause severe hypertension when taken with the contraceptive.

Answer

The oral contraceptive will inactivate the amoxicillin, leading to treatment failure.

Answer

The combination increases the risk of developing a severe photosensitivity reaction.

Question 6

A patient with a known allergy to ester-type local anesthetics requires a maxillary infiltration for a restorative procedure. Which of the following local anesthetic agents would be the safest to use?

Accepted Answer

Lidocaine

Answer

Procaine

Answer

Benzocaine (topical)

Answer

Tetracaine