CDCA LOCAL ANESTHESIA EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Computer controlled local anesthetic delivery system (C-CLAD) - Correct Answers -
Local anesthesia system where the syringe is held like a pen and the drug is delivered
at a pre-programmed flow
Prevents discomfort from rapid delivery rate
T/F Harpoons can become dull after repeated use - Correct Answers -True, a dull
harpoon increases chance of disengagement when the thumb ring is pulled back during
aspiration
Threaded hub - Correct Answers -threaded component that attaches the needle to the
syringe
Is it safe to use anesthetic in a patient with a latex allergy? - Correct Answers -Yes.
Most dental cartridges are now made latex free. Studies have shown there are no
reports of an allergy due to the latex component in cartridges
What does a bubble larger than 2mm indicate in a cartridge? - Correct Answers -The
solution has been frozen, Discard cartridge
What position should the patient be in during injections? - Correct Answers -supine
position
prevents syncope
How to care for syringes - Correct Answers -Autoclave after each use
After 5 autoclave cycles, the syringe should be disassembled and lubricated on all
threated joints
The harpoon should be cleaned with a brush after each use
T/F? The greater the angle of the bevel, the greater the degree of deflection - Correct
Answers -True
Needle gauge color coordination - Correct Answers -25 gauge: red (largest diameter)
27 gauge: yellow
30 gauge: blue (smallest diameter)
, Advantages of using smaller gauge needles (large diameter) - Correct Answers -Less
deflection of needle as it passes through soft tissue
More resistant to breakage
More accurate aspiration of blood, smaller gauge (larger diameter) needles are
recommended with injections in highly vascular areas (IA, PSA, mental/incisive nerve
block)
Needle lengths - Correct Answers -Long: 30-35 mm (average: 32 mm)
Short: 20-25 mm (average: 20mm)
Ultra-short: 10-12mm (average: 12mm) only available in 30 gauge (smaller diameter)
What is the main cause of needlestick injuries? - Correct Answers -patient movement
Needle barb - Correct Answers -a fishhook like barb at the tip of a needle can cause
discomfort when the needle is withdrawn
if a barb is present, change the needle
barbs can occur when the needle touches bone
barbs can be detected by lightly dragging the needle across a sterile gauze. If a barb is
present, the gauze will "catch"
T/F? Pressure can shatter a cartridge - Correct Answers -True
If this occurs, suction the patients mouth thoroughly and report the incident
The thin mylar plastic label on the outside of the cartridge reduces the incidence of it
shattering
Hitting the thumb ring when engaging the harpoon into the stopper may put pressure on
the neck of the cartridge, which is the weakest part of the cartridge
How much anesthetic is a stopper full? - Correct Answers -0.2 ml
What indicates that the cartridge has been frozen or that other liquid has been diffused
into the cartridge? - Correct Answers -an extended stopper, discard
Diaphragm - Correct Answers -thin semipermeable membrane through which the
needle penetrates
Aluminum cap - Correct Answers -holds the diaphragm
How to calculate how many mg of anesthetic is in a cartridge - Correct Answers -in a
1.8 cartridge
2% = 20 x 1.8mg = 36 mg
in a 1.7 cartridge
2% = 20 x 1.7 mg = 34 mg
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Computer controlled local anesthetic delivery system (C-CLAD) - Correct Answers -
Local anesthesia system where the syringe is held like a pen and the drug is delivered
at a pre-programmed flow
Prevents discomfort from rapid delivery rate
T/F Harpoons can become dull after repeated use - Correct Answers -True, a dull
harpoon increases chance of disengagement when the thumb ring is pulled back during
aspiration
Threaded hub - Correct Answers -threaded component that attaches the needle to the
syringe
Is it safe to use anesthetic in a patient with a latex allergy? - Correct Answers -Yes.
Most dental cartridges are now made latex free. Studies have shown there are no
reports of an allergy due to the latex component in cartridges
What does a bubble larger than 2mm indicate in a cartridge? - Correct Answers -The
solution has been frozen, Discard cartridge
What position should the patient be in during injections? - Correct Answers -supine
position
prevents syncope
How to care for syringes - Correct Answers -Autoclave after each use
After 5 autoclave cycles, the syringe should be disassembled and lubricated on all
threated joints
The harpoon should be cleaned with a brush after each use
T/F? The greater the angle of the bevel, the greater the degree of deflection - Correct
Answers -True
Needle gauge color coordination - Correct Answers -25 gauge: red (largest diameter)
27 gauge: yellow
30 gauge: blue (smallest diameter)
, Advantages of using smaller gauge needles (large diameter) - Correct Answers -Less
deflection of needle as it passes through soft tissue
More resistant to breakage
More accurate aspiration of blood, smaller gauge (larger diameter) needles are
recommended with injections in highly vascular areas (IA, PSA, mental/incisive nerve
block)
Needle lengths - Correct Answers -Long: 30-35 mm (average: 32 mm)
Short: 20-25 mm (average: 20mm)
Ultra-short: 10-12mm (average: 12mm) only available in 30 gauge (smaller diameter)
What is the main cause of needlestick injuries? - Correct Answers -patient movement
Needle barb - Correct Answers -a fishhook like barb at the tip of a needle can cause
discomfort when the needle is withdrawn
if a barb is present, change the needle
barbs can occur when the needle touches bone
barbs can be detected by lightly dragging the needle across a sterile gauze. If a barb is
present, the gauze will "catch"
T/F? Pressure can shatter a cartridge - Correct Answers -True
If this occurs, suction the patients mouth thoroughly and report the incident
The thin mylar plastic label on the outside of the cartridge reduces the incidence of it
shattering
Hitting the thumb ring when engaging the harpoon into the stopper may put pressure on
the neck of the cartridge, which is the weakest part of the cartridge
How much anesthetic is a stopper full? - Correct Answers -0.2 ml
What indicates that the cartridge has been frozen or that other liquid has been diffused
into the cartridge? - Correct Answers -an extended stopper, discard
Diaphragm - Correct Answers -thin semipermeable membrane through which the
needle penetrates
Aluminum cap - Correct Answers -holds the diaphragm
How to calculate how many mg of anesthetic is in a cartridge - Correct Answers -in a
1.8 cartridge
2% = 20 x 1.8mg = 36 mg
in a 1.7 cartridge
2% = 20 x 1.7 mg = 34 mg
