RDA Review Practice Test

A non aerosol topical anesthetic may be applied by the:

DA or RDA

Two primary reasons for using topical anesthetic agents are:

relief of pain and anxiety

Topical anesthetic is applied in the muco/buccal fold over the apex area of operation for _____ anesthesia

infiltration

A mobile tooth is a:

Sign

Cracking at the corner of the mouth is known as:

cheilitis

The tab of tissue on the inside of the cheek just opposite the upper first molar is:

the opening to the parotid salivary gland

Removing tissue for examination under a microscope is called:

biopsy

Before administering N20 to the patient:

he is instructed to take several deep breaths

A patient's overjet is measured by:

the horizontal distance the maxillary teeth protrude beyond the mandible.

A cross bite is:

none of the above

A Class I malocclusion is:

The posterior teeth and mandible are in a normal position but there are malpositioned anterior teeth.

A Class II malocclusion is:

The posterior teeth and maxilla are in a protruded position in relationship to the mandible.

A Class III malocclusion is:

The posterior teeth and maxilla are in a retruded position in relationship to the mandible.

A Class II elastic:

attaches a the anterior of the maxillary appliance and the posterior of the mandibular appliance.

Elastic orthodontic separators are placed:

by a DA

The following are not used for separators:

Tie wires

When placing a TP spring:

first insert lingual side

When removing separators care must be taken:

to avoid injuring the interdental papillae

A useful instrument for removing elastic separators is a :

sickle scaler

T-P springs are a type of:

separator

How long do elastic separators need to be left in place?

3-5 days

An elastic separator is placed by:

a period of more than 8 hours

Headgear should not be worn during:

sports activities

When ligating with a wire tie, the tie wire should be:

bent at a 90 degree angle

After twisting the wire ligature the "pigtail" should be cut to a length of approximately:

3 mm

After the wire ligature has been cut the cut end ("pigtail") is bent:

gingivally

A removable retainer should:

1. should not impinge soft tissue2. seat completely to the soft tissue3. fit securely without dislodging(1,2 and 3)

When placing head gear:

place one side first then the other

What are the vital signs?

- blood pressure and pulse- temperature- respiration

a mouth mirror is used for?

- light reflection- retraction of soft tissues of the mouth

it is possible to obtain an incorrect blood pressure reading by?

- using the wrong size cuff- placing the cuff too high on the arm- taking visual reading instead of listening to the sounds

A serviceable temporary filling should have the following characteristics?

- sealed margins- appropriate contact points

A matrix band placed incorrectly can cause?

- flat contours- overhang- tooth movement

A special type of retainer which can be pl;aced from the lingual is called:

- contra angle retainer

what is not a type of cancer?

leukoplakia

mercury levels in the office be controlled by:

- storing scrap amalgam in a tightly sealed jar- keep all amalgam materials on an edged tray

a temp. crown should reproduce the following:

- mesio-distal length- correct occlusal height- buccal-lingual width- contact points

the best way to reduce the gag reflex on a patient during an impression is to:

- use adequate post dam- have the patient breath through their nose- use fast-set alginate

The purpose of pulp testing is to:

- determine whether there are living nerves within the pulp- aid in diagnosis of pulpitis

Thermal sensitivity test may indicate that the pulp tissue is undergoing liquefaction and the reaction to applied heat is:

increase pain

A pulp tester is used to help determine the:

vitality of the dental pulp

The patient may be premeditated to alleviate his apprehension and raise his threshold of pain with a type of medication (a, an):

sedative

A very low reading (0-1) on an electric vitality test indicates:

acute inflammation

Vitality of an unexposed pulp may be determined by:

- electrical pulp test- application of cold- application of heat(ALL OF THE ABOVE!)

The electrode on a vitalometer should be in contact with:

enamel

Prior to pulp testing, the teeth should be:

dried

The chemical symbol representing acidulated phosphate fluoride is:

APF2(it's 'supposed' to be a little "2" - but this daft program won't let me!!!)

The length of application for sodium fluoride applied topically is for:

4 minutes

Following a topical fluoride application, what instruction are given to the patient?

To avoid food and liquid during teh next 30 minutes

An undesirable result of using waxed dental floss before topical application of fluoride is:

coating on the proximal surfaces

Mottled enamel is associated with:

excessive amounts of fluoride in drinking water

The recommended concentration of fluoride in community water supplies is:

1.0 ppm

Application of topical fluoride is a duty permitted by the:

DA, direct supervision

Research has shown that the fluorides are most effective in:

water

When removing excess cement, a know in dental floss may be used:

through the interproximal only

Excess cement should be removed:

after it has hardened

A Class II temporary cement filling:

should be formed to tooth anatomy, having proximal contact and have sealed margins

The least irritating of the dental cements listed is:

zinc-oxide-eugenol

Sizing and cementation of temporary crowns may be performed by:

RDA under direct supervision

When cementing temporary crowns:

the amount of cement placed in the temporary depends on the type of crown

The margin of a temporary crown should extend:

1 mm below the free gingival

To decrease the setting time of zinc phosphate cement:

the material is quickly incorporated

A Class II sedative restoration should:

- be placed in a dry cavity- seal occlusal margins

A temporary sedative dressing is placed:

- to protect the dentin and pulp- maintain contact and occlusion

The dentist is on vacation and a patient comes to the office, having displaced a temporary dressing. You may:

appoint patient with another dentist immediately

Which one of the following instruments would be the instrument of choice to remove an excess of temporary dressings from the margins of the temporary restoration?

explorer

An "ideal" temporary sedative dressing:

- seals tooth- supports occlusal forces- reproduces tooth contours- prevents tooth movement

To prepare the mouth to place the rubber dam you should:

- check contact areas of teeth to be isolated by passing dental floss through- check for alignment of teeth and missing teeth- determine which teeth are to be isolated- determine which tooth is to be the anchor tooth

A correctly applied rubber dam will:

- increase the efficiency of the dental team- provide the driest operating field possible- provide soft tissue retraction- provide patient control

After removing the rubber dam, the next step is to:

check rubber dam and see that it is intact

Which one of the following diagrams illustrate a rubber dam punched for the maxillary right quadrant?

...

The preliminary diagnosis charting that the dental assistant performs includes:

physical and dental data

Wharton's Duct is located:

beneath the tongue

Blood in the soft tissue is known as:

hematoma

An abnormal wearing away of tooth substance due to mechanical process affecting the crowns of teeth is indicative of:

abrasion

Instrumentation for a mouth mirror inspection is:

mouth mirror, explorer and probe

A progressive lesion of calcified dental tissue characterized by loss of teeth structure is:

caries

What is the appearance of granulation tissue?

white

The first step in completing a patient record is:

patient history

All of the following are performed during an oral inspection EXCEPT:

determining sequence of dental needs

Injury of the tissues of the body is the result of:

Trauma

Of those duties listed below, which cannot be performed by the DA under the direct supervision of the Dentist?

mouth mirror inspection of the oral cavity

The classification of caries on the occlusal two-thirds of a distal surface is:

Class II

A Class II restoration includes the following surfaces:

- mesial- distal- occlusal

General appraisal of your patient during visual observation would include:

- obesity- perspiration

Bite wing x-rays are used by the dentist to diagnose:

- interproximal caries

A good impression should include:

- palate- frenum- reflex areas- tuberosities

In order to correctly seat a lower alginate impression you should have your patient:

raise their tongue after placement

A granular alginate impression mix may be caused by:

improper water powder ratio

Which of the following blood pressure readings would be cause for the GREATEST concern:

150/100

You are in the operatory with your patient alone. The patient was given an injection of local anesthesia for a short operative procedure. You notice that the patient has broken out in a rash and says their skin itches. What might be wrong?

anaphylactic shock

In reference to the question #91: What would be the BEST course of action to follow?

inform the dentist and call a paramedic

Your patient seems more nervous than usual during dental treatment, in the middle of the procedure they complain of a severe pain in their lower jaw. This patient has a history of diabetes and heart problems. What might be wrong?

angina pectoris attack

The appropriate treatment for a patient suffering from an asthma attack would include all of the following EXCEPT:

have the patient breathe into a bag

Which of the following may indicate overexposure to radiation?

- nausea and vomiting- skin rash- loss of hair

In checking the nitrous oxide/oxygen tanks prior to seeing a patient the assistant notices the tank gauge reads 200 psi. This reading would indicate the:

tank pressure has decreased from full state

The last procedure that should be performed just prior to cementation of a temporary crown is:

festoon the contact area

The least irritating cement to use with a temporary crown is:

zinc oxide

Which of the following medications might be taken by a patient who has suffered a stroke?

anticoagulants

Which of the following might be signs of a patient in too deep sedation with nitrous oxide?

nausea

The main nutrients found in fruits and vegetables are:

vitamin A, C, iron and riboflavin

An excellent source of vitamin A is :

liver

Symptoms of vitamin C deficiency are:

bruise easily

A patient has just experienced syncope after an injection. What treatment could a dental assistant administer?

place patient in reclining position with their head lower than their feet

The orthodontic facebow should be placed:

one side at a time

Acetone or fruity smelling breath, deep respirations, excessive thirst are symptoms of:

diabetic acidosis

If the patients condition were to progress to complete circulatory collapse, the RDA would immediately administer which of the following?

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

The symptoms described in the above situation would indicate that teh patient is suffering from:

heart attack

In the above situation the INITIAL procedure would be to:

place patient in semi supine position & administer oxygen

Orthodontic retainer instructions should include:

- brushing of the retainer, teeth, soft tissue- removal of retainer during sports

What instructions should be given to a patient following an arch wire ligation procedure?

- oral hygiene instruction- foods to avoid- warning of possible discomfort

To insure that all excess cement has been removed which of the following techniques should be used after cementing a gold restoration?

- exploration of the marginal & interproximal area with explorer- inspection of the oral cavity with a clear mouth mirror with good illumination

The RDA is legally responsible for:

no entries in the chart for services performed

Which of the following abrasives should be chosen for coronal polishing when the patients teeth display mild sensitivity?

flour of pumice

The complete health history of a patient should include:

- blood pressure reading- record of chronic illnesses- chief dental complaints- prescription and self prescribed drugs- history of exposure to ionizing radiation- past sensitivity to medications

A properly adapted impression tray should include:

- the retromolar area- all teeth- tissues in the vestibule- frenum or muscle attachments

When utilizing correct four-handed dentistry techniques, how should the dental Assistant receive a cutting instrument?

extended little finger

Once inserted, where are metal spring separators located in relation to the contact area?

occlusal and gingival to the contact area

Indicate the correct sequence of steps for placing a PREFORMED aluminum temporary crown?

- measure mediodistal space at the contact area and select the crown- try the crown and check the fit- adjust the length of the crown- adjust occlusion- cement temporary crown

The dentist has just completed periodontal surgery in the lower right quadrant and has extracted tooth #32, which was impacted. The RDA may:

place a periodontal dressing over the periodontal wound area

A rubber dam is used for all of the following EXCEPT to:

stabilize loose teeth

Which of the statements are TRUE concerning the proper placement of a rubber dam clamp?

- stabilize dam around teeth- retract the dam and tissues

How should a rubber dam be removed from interproximal spaces?

clip interseptal rubber with scissors

After checking the developer solution for proper temperature, the manufacturers directions for the time and temperature, and the proper functioning of the timer, the probable cause for light radiographic film would be:

weakened solution

While examining the nitrous oxide/oxegyn tanks, the Registered Dental Assistant notices that the oxegyn pressure gauge registers 15 psi. This is a sign that:

the pressure of the oxygen gas has decreased from the normally full state

What can be done to prevent the suture material from sticking to the periodontal dressing?

wipe petroleum jelly on the suture material after suture is placed

The dentist asks the RDA to present some positive suggestions at the next weekly staff meeting to reduce the effect of environmental pollutants in the operatories. The RDA brought to the meeting the items or suggestions listed (on the flip-side). Match them to the question?- Escaping nitrous oxide gases

scavenging system for gases

Mercury fumes

oil-covered containers for amalgam scrap

Inhalant particles produced during removal of old restorations

an efficient evacuation system and the use of masks by the dental team

Pumice and polishing agents

flushing and aspirating devices

Which of the following is characteristic of chronic inflammation of gingival tissue?

soft spongy consistency, bleeding readily

Instructions to a patient with a dry socket include:

- application of cold every 30 minutes (off and on)- reminding patient to take prescribed antibiotics- reminding patient to take prescribed analgesics- rinsing with warm saline solution

Constricted pupils suggest that the patient is:

under the influence of narcotics

Current research on nitrous oxide administration would lead one to believe that:

- routine inhalation of exhaust gases may produce negative results in males and females- females in the first trimester of pregnancy are at risk- offices should have gas removal equipment

Immediately following the surgical removal and suturing of an impacted mandibular third molar, the RDA is requested to place a surgical sedative dressing over the wound . Which of the following should be done?

cover the wound with a thin layer of zinc oxide eugenol

When placing a tofflemire matrix retainer, it is important that the slotted edge of the retainer is directed:

gingivally

What is the FIRST sign of gingival over-extension when placing a temporary crown?

blanching (tissue white)

When used in orthodontic treatment, a positioner is:

an elastic type retainer worn following removal of appliance

How should the patient be advised to wear headgear?

insert one side first, then insert the other

Cavity varnish should be applied....

with a cotton pellet

In drying the root canal with an absorbent paper point, how is the proper length of the point determined?

by use of an x-ray film measurement