Antibacterial
Which of the following antibacterial agents is commonly used in dentistry to reduce plaque and gingivitis?
a. Chlorhexidine
b. Acetaminophen
c. Amoxicillin
d. Ibuprofen
A. Chlorhexidine (Chlorhexidine has been shown to inhibit a wide range of bacteria by disrupting bacterial cell walls and preventing it, in our case, from adhering to the teeth and gums. It also binds to oral tissues and tooth surfaces, allowing it to have a long lasting substantivity.)
A 35-year-old male patient presents to your office with complaints of swelling, pain, and redness in the lower left molar region. Upon examination, you diagnose a periapical abscess. The patient has no known allergies and is otherwise healthy.
Which of the following antibiotics is the most appropriate first-line treatment for this patient?
a. Erythromycin
b. Amoxicillin
c. Doxycycline
d. Clindamycin
B. Amoxicillin (Even though resistance is a concern, Amoxicillin is reliable due to its effectiveness. It also has a lower risk of severe side effects compared to other antibiotics. Amoxicillin reaches high concentrations in soft tissues, making it effective in treating abscesses.)
What term describes the amount of a drug necessary to achieve a desired effect?
a. Half-life
b. Side effect
c. Efficacy
d. Potency
D. Potency (Potency means how much of the drugs whereas efficacy stands for how much of a response is produced)
This drug is used to treat seizures, its most common side effect includes gingival hyperplasia.
a. Warfarin
b. Phenytoin
c. Digoxin
d. Lisinopril
B. Phenytoin (Phenytoin or Dilantin is a common drug used to treat seizures that often results in gingival hyperplasia)
What is the action of penicillin?
a. Inhibit bacterial protein synthesis
b. Cause bacterial DNA to lose its structure
c. Inhibit cell wall synthesis
d. None of the above
C. Inhibit cell wall synthesis (Penicillin is a bactericidal drug that works by inhibiting cell wall synthesis; penicillin is bactericidal)
A 74 year old male presents to your office for a regular 6 month recare appointment. Your patient is taking warfarin, atorvastatin, and a daily multivitamin. He presents with gingival hyperplasia, bleeding upon probing, and moderate bone loss. He complains of bleeding when brushing at home and sensitivity to cold on tooth #6 when drinking water. What is the most likely reason your patient is taking warfarin?
a. High cholesterol
b. COPD
c. GERD
d. History of atrial fibrillation
D. History of atrial fibrillation (warfarin or coumadin is an example of an anticoagulant drug. Anticoagulant drugs are commonly used to treat atrial dysrhythmias, post myocardial infarction, and treatment of pulmonary emboli (clot in lung); anticoagulants work by inhibiting vitamin K clotting factors and are commonly used to PREVENT clots in those with atrial fibrillation or those with heart disease).
What term describes a dose related reaction that is not part of the desired therapeutic outcome of a drug?
a. Toxic reaction
b. Side effect
c. Idiosyncratic reaction
d. Drug allergy
B. Side effect (It is an unintended or secondary response to medication. They can be harmful or uncomfortable, and has no contribution to treatment goals.)
Lisinopril is a drug that is commonly used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure. Adverse effects include dry cough and orthostatic hypotension. What category of drug is lisinopril?
a. ACE Inhibitor
b. Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker
c. Calcium Channel Blocker
d. Beta- 1 Blocker
A. ACE Inhibitor (Lisinopril is a ACE Inhibitor commonly used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure; this drug is a vasodilator that may result in dry cough or orthostatic hypotension )
Which of the following is a broad-spectrum antibiotic commonly prescribed to treat bacterial infections such as abscesses?
a. Metronidazole
b. Clindamycin
c. Amoxicillin
d. Tetracycline
C. Amoxicillin (It works against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, making it effective for polymicrobial infections. Amoxicillin targets Streptococcus and Prevotella species which are commonly involved in dental infections)
A 47-year-old female patient comes in for a recare appointment and is on the following medications: Amlodipine (high blood pressure), Lexapro (depression) and Zyrtec (seasonal allergies). She complains of gingival sensitivity and bleeding while brushing. As you examine her oral cavity you notice gingival hyperplasia. What is most likely the cause of the gingival enlargement?
a. Calcium channel blockers
b. Antidepressants
c. Allergies
d. Xerostomia
A. Calcium channel blockers (Calcium channel blockers cause gingival enlargement by affecting calcium channels in gingival fibroblasts, leading to excess collagen production. Gum overgrowth can be managed through proper oral hygiene, medication adjustments, and surgery. The patient is taking the CCB Amlodipine)
What is the most common route of excretion for drugs ?
a. Lungs
b. Bile
c. Saliva
d. Renal
D. Renal (The most common route of excretion for drugs is the renal or kidneys.)
What condition/disease can you expect a drug to treat if it ends in -statin?
a. Hypoglycemia
b. Hypertension
c. Hyperlipidemia
d. Anaphylaxis
C. Hyperlipidemia (drugs treating high cholesterol often end in -statin)
Which common side effect might you see in a patient taking antibiotics such as Amoxicillin?
a. Gingival hyperplasia
b. Oral Candidiasis
c. Glossitis
d. Frenal Pull
B. Oral Candidiasis (antibiotics affect the body's natural flora, making patients more susceptible to fungal infections)
A 45-year-old female patient presents to the office for a prophylaxis appointment. Her medical history includes seasonal allergies, hypertension, and anxiety. She reports taking Lisinopril, Lorazepam, and Loratadine. During the intraoral examination, you note generalized gingival inflammation, mild gingival bleeding, and signs of xerostomia. The patient also complains of a metallic taste in her mouth. Which of the following medications is most likely contributing to the patient’s dry mouth and metallic taste?
a. Lisinopril
b. Lorazepam
c. Loratadine
d. None of the above
A. Lisinopril (Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor and is known to cause side effects such as xerostomia and dysgeusia (metallic taste))
The prescription abbreviation pc stands for before meals, whereas the abbreviation prn stands for as needed.
a. Both statements are true
b. The first statement is false, the second statement is true
c. The first statement is true, the second statement is false
d. Both statements are false
B. The first statement is false, the second statement is true. (The abbreviation pc stands for after meals and the abbreviation prn stands for as needed)
Which class of drugs is most commonly used to manage anxiety and may lead to drowsiness, dizziness, and dependence?
a. Antidepressants
b. Benzodiazepines
c. Antipsychotics
d. Stimulants
B. Benzodiazepines (Benzodiazepines (diazepam, lorazepam) are prescribed for anxiety but can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and dependence)
Periostat and Arestin are both antibacterial agents used in dentistry that contain what?
a. Clindamycin
b. Penicillin
c. Metronidazole
d. Tetracycline
D. Tetracycline (Periostat and Arestin both contain the agent tetracycline; tetracyline is a bacteriostatic agent that may cause xerostomia, glossitis/ swollen tongue, and stomatitis/ inflammation of mucous membranes )
A 58-year-old female patient presents for periodontal therapy. Her medical history includes osteoporosis, asthma, and depression. She reports taking Alendronate, Albuterol inhaler, and Sertraline. During the intraoral examination, you note generalized gingival inflammation, mild alveolar bone loss visible on radiographs, and complaints of occasional dry mouth. The patient also reports feeling increased sensitivity in her teeth over the last few months. Which of the following is the most significant pharmacological consideration when planning this patient’s periodontal therapy?
a. Potential risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw due to Alendronate use
b. Increased risk of caries due to dry mouth ring Albuterol use
c. Delayed wound healing due to Sertraline use
d. Increased gingival inflammation due to Albuterol use
A. Potential risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw due to Alendronate use (Alendronate is a bisphosphonate and associated with a risk of osteonecrosis, especially in patients undergoing invasive dental procedures)
According to the schedules of controlled substances a schedule V has what abuse potential?
a. No accepted medical use
b. High abuse potential
c. Moderate abuse potential
d. Least abuse potential
D. Least abuse potential (Schedule V has the least abuse potential and a schedule I means there is no accepted medical use due to such a high abuse potential; the higher the number on this scale the lower the abuse potential)
A patient taking warfarin (blood thinner) is at risk for which of the following complications?
a. Risk of bleeding and bruising
b. Risk of hyperglycemia
c. Risk of dehydration
d. Risk of constipation
A. Risk of bleeding and bruising (Warfarin inhibits clotting factors, increasing the risk of bleeding and bruising, which requires careful monitoring of blood clotting levels)