Dental Hygiene Local Anesthesia Exam |
2025/2026 Edition – 100+ Actual Exam
Questions with 100% Verified Answers
(Graded A+ | Updated Clinical Standards)
Prepared for:
Dental Hygiene Students and Professionals
Document Version: 2026 – Complete Set (100+ Questions)
1. What is the primary purpose of local anesthesia in dentistry?
A) To sedate the patient
B) To provide temporary loss of sensation in a specific area ✔
C) To cure dental infections
D) To replace general anesthesia
Rationale: Local anesthesia blocks nerve conduction in a specific area, allowing
procedures without pain.
2. Which cranial nerve is primarily targeted during an inferior alveolar nerve block?
A) Trigeminal nerve (mandibular division, V3) ✔
B) Facial nerve (VII)
C) Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
D) Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
Rationale: The inferior alveolar nerve is a branch of the mandibular division of the
trigeminal nerve.
3. Which type of local anesthetic is considered an amide?
A) Procaine
B) Lidocaine ✔
C) Tetracaine
D) Benzocaine
Rationale: Amides (like lidocaine, mepivacaine, articaine) are metabolized in the liver;
esters are metabolized in plasma.
4. Which of the following is an ester local anesthetic?
A) Lidocaine
B) Prilocaine
C) Benzocaine ✔
D) Articaine
Rationale: Esters (like benzocaine, procaine) are metabolized by plasma esterases.
5. The maximum recommended dose of lidocaine with epinephrine for a healthy adult
is approximately:
A) 3 mg/kg
, B) 4.4 mg/kg ✔
C) 7 mg/kg
D) 10 mg/kg
Rationale: The safe maximum dose of lidocaine with epinephrine is 7 mg/kg, but for
dental hygiene purposes, 4.4 mg/kg is commonly referenced for standard safety.
6. Which local anesthetic has the longest duration of action?
A) Mepivacaine
B) Articaine
C) Bupivacaine ✔
D) Lidocaine
Rationale: Bupivacaine is long-acting, often used for procedures requiring extended
anesthesia.
7. What is the primary role of epinephrine in local anesthesia?
A) Increase pain perception
B) Vasoconstriction to prolong anesthetic effect ✔
C) Decrease pH of tissue
D) Reduce allergic reactions
Rationale: Epinephrine constricts blood vessels, slowing absorption and increasing
duration.
8. Which injection technique is most appropriate for maxillary infiltration anesthesia?
A) Supraperiosteal injection ✔
B) Inferior alveolar nerve block
C) Gow-Gates block
D) PSA nerve block
Rationale: Maxillary infiltration targets the terminal nerve endings in the area of the
apex.
9. Which nerve is anesthetized during a posterior superior alveolar (PSA) block?
A) Infraorbital nerve
B) Posterior superior alveolar nerve ✔
C) Inferior alveolar nerve
D) Buccal nerve
Rationale: PSA nerve supplies the maxillary molars (except mesiobuccal root of first
molar sometimes).
10. Which of the following is a contraindication for vasoconstrictors in anesthesia?
A) Controlled hypertension
B) Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease ✔
C) Healthy adult
D) Local infection
Rationale: Epinephrine may exacerbate cardiovascular conditions and should be used
cautiously or avoided in uncontrolled cases.
11. What is the onset time of 2% lidocaine with epinephrine for infiltration?
A) 1–2 minutes ✔
B) 5–10 minutes
C) 15–20 minutes
D) 30 minutes
, Rationale: Lidocaine acts rapidly, providing anesthesia within 1–2 minutes for
infiltration.
12. Which anesthetic technique is appropriate for numbness of the lower lip and chin?
A) Inferior alveolar nerve block ✔
B) Buccal nerve block
C) ASA infiltration
D) Infraorbital nerve block
Rationale: The mental nerve, a branch of the inferior alveolar, supplies sensation to the
lower lip and chin.
13. Which of the following is a common adverse reaction to local anesthesia?
A) Hematoma ✔
B) Anaphylactic shock (rare)
C) Facial nerve paralysis
D) All of the above ✔
Rationale: Local anesthetic injections may cause minor hematoma, rare allergic
reactions, or temporary nerve involvement.
14. What is the purpose of aspiration during an injection?
A) Ensure accurate placement in soft tissue
B) Check that the needle is not in a blood vessel ✔
C) Increase anesthetic effect
D) Reduce pain
Rationale: Aspiration prevents accidental intravascular injection, reducing systemic
toxicity.
15. Which local anesthetic has the lowest risk of methemoglobinemia?
A) Prilocaine
B) Articaine
C) Lidocaine ✔
D) Benzocaine
Rationale: Lidocaine is safest regarding methemoglobinemia risk; benzocaine and
prilocaine pose higher risk, especially in children.
16. Which injection is recommended for anesthesia of the maxillary anterior teeth?
A) Posterior superior alveolar
B) Infraorbital / ASA infiltration ✔
C) Inferior alveolar nerve block
D) Mental nerve block
Rationale: ASA or infraorbital infiltration targets anterior teeth and soft tissue.
17. Which statement is correct regarding local anesthetic metabolism?
A) Amides are metabolized in plasma
B) Esters are metabolized in plasma ✔
C) Amides are metabolized in the lungs
D) Esters are metabolized in the liver
Rationale: Ester anesthetics are hydrolyzed by plasma esterases; amides are metabolized
in the liver.
18. Which nerve is anesthetized during a mental nerve block?
A) Inferior alveolar
2025/2026 Edition – 100+ Actual Exam
Questions with 100% Verified Answers
(Graded A+ | Updated Clinical Standards)
Prepared for:
Dental Hygiene Students and Professionals
Document Version: 2026 – Complete Set (100+ Questions)
1. What is the primary purpose of local anesthesia in dentistry?
A) To sedate the patient
B) To provide temporary loss of sensation in a specific area ✔
C) To cure dental infections
D) To replace general anesthesia
Rationale: Local anesthesia blocks nerve conduction in a specific area, allowing
procedures without pain.
2. Which cranial nerve is primarily targeted during an inferior alveolar nerve block?
A) Trigeminal nerve (mandibular division, V3) ✔
B) Facial nerve (VII)
C) Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
D) Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
Rationale: The inferior alveolar nerve is a branch of the mandibular division of the
trigeminal nerve.
3. Which type of local anesthetic is considered an amide?
A) Procaine
B) Lidocaine ✔
C) Tetracaine
D) Benzocaine
Rationale: Amides (like lidocaine, mepivacaine, articaine) are metabolized in the liver;
esters are metabolized in plasma.
4. Which of the following is an ester local anesthetic?
A) Lidocaine
B) Prilocaine
C) Benzocaine ✔
D) Articaine
Rationale: Esters (like benzocaine, procaine) are metabolized by plasma esterases.
5. The maximum recommended dose of lidocaine with epinephrine for a healthy adult
is approximately:
A) 3 mg/kg
, B) 4.4 mg/kg ✔
C) 7 mg/kg
D) 10 mg/kg
Rationale: The safe maximum dose of lidocaine with epinephrine is 7 mg/kg, but for
dental hygiene purposes, 4.4 mg/kg is commonly referenced for standard safety.
6. Which local anesthetic has the longest duration of action?
A) Mepivacaine
B) Articaine
C) Bupivacaine ✔
D) Lidocaine
Rationale: Bupivacaine is long-acting, often used for procedures requiring extended
anesthesia.
7. What is the primary role of epinephrine in local anesthesia?
A) Increase pain perception
B) Vasoconstriction to prolong anesthetic effect ✔
C) Decrease pH of tissue
D) Reduce allergic reactions
Rationale: Epinephrine constricts blood vessels, slowing absorption and increasing
duration.
8. Which injection technique is most appropriate for maxillary infiltration anesthesia?
A) Supraperiosteal injection ✔
B) Inferior alveolar nerve block
C) Gow-Gates block
D) PSA nerve block
Rationale: Maxillary infiltration targets the terminal nerve endings in the area of the
apex.
9. Which nerve is anesthetized during a posterior superior alveolar (PSA) block?
A) Infraorbital nerve
B) Posterior superior alveolar nerve ✔
C) Inferior alveolar nerve
D) Buccal nerve
Rationale: PSA nerve supplies the maxillary molars (except mesiobuccal root of first
molar sometimes).
10. Which of the following is a contraindication for vasoconstrictors in anesthesia?
A) Controlled hypertension
B) Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease ✔
C) Healthy adult
D) Local infection
Rationale: Epinephrine may exacerbate cardiovascular conditions and should be used
cautiously or avoided in uncontrolled cases.
11. What is the onset time of 2% lidocaine with epinephrine for infiltration?
A) 1–2 minutes ✔
B) 5–10 minutes
C) 15–20 minutes
D) 30 minutes
, Rationale: Lidocaine acts rapidly, providing anesthesia within 1–2 minutes for
infiltration.
12. Which anesthetic technique is appropriate for numbness of the lower lip and chin?
A) Inferior alveolar nerve block ✔
B) Buccal nerve block
C) ASA infiltration
D) Infraorbital nerve block
Rationale: The mental nerve, a branch of the inferior alveolar, supplies sensation to the
lower lip and chin.
13. Which of the following is a common adverse reaction to local anesthesia?
A) Hematoma ✔
B) Anaphylactic shock (rare)
C) Facial nerve paralysis
D) All of the above ✔
Rationale: Local anesthetic injections may cause minor hematoma, rare allergic
reactions, or temporary nerve involvement.
14. What is the purpose of aspiration during an injection?
A) Ensure accurate placement in soft tissue
B) Check that the needle is not in a blood vessel ✔
C) Increase anesthetic effect
D) Reduce pain
Rationale: Aspiration prevents accidental intravascular injection, reducing systemic
toxicity.
15. Which local anesthetic has the lowest risk of methemoglobinemia?
A) Prilocaine
B) Articaine
C) Lidocaine ✔
D) Benzocaine
Rationale: Lidocaine is safest regarding methemoglobinemia risk; benzocaine and
prilocaine pose higher risk, especially in children.
16. Which injection is recommended for anesthesia of the maxillary anterior teeth?
A) Posterior superior alveolar
B) Infraorbital / ASA infiltration ✔
C) Inferior alveolar nerve block
D) Mental nerve block
Rationale: ASA or infraorbital infiltration targets anterior teeth and soft tissue.
17. Which statement is correct regarding local anesthetic metabolism?
A) Amides are metabolized in plasma
B) Esters are metabolized in plasma ✔
C) Amides are metabolized in the lungs
D) Esters are metabolized in the liver
Rationale: Ester anesthetics are hydrolyzed by plasma esterases; amides are metabolized
in the liver.
18. Which nerve is anesthetized during a mental nerve block?
A) Inferior alveolar
