DENTAL HYGIENE LOCAL ANESTHESIA
BOARD REVIEW. EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
Describe the polarization of a nerve cell: - ANS at rest, inside of a cell is slightly (-) charged
and outside is lightly (+) charged. (70 mv) difference.
describe the depolarization of a nerve cell: - ANS when there is an influx of Na+ ions and it
causes the cell to become depolarized with a (+) charge.
describe the repolarization of a nerve cell: - ANS begins immediately after depolarization
with potassium (+) ions leaving the cell in order to restore equilibrium.
myelinated nerves conduct impulses _________ with ________ energy. - ANS faster; less
what do the nodes of ranvier on myelinated nerves allow for? - ANS the passage of local
anesthesia into the nerve cell.
what is the primary action of local anesthetics? - ANS to block pain perception/transmission
by decreasing permeability of sodium ions.
where does the biotransformation of esters occur? - ANS in the pseudocholinesterase of
blood plasma and is then excreted by the kidneys.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 10
, where does the biotransformation of amides occur? - ANS in the liver and is then excreted by
the kidneys.
which local anesthetic type is less likely to admit an allergic reaction? - ANS amides
___________ are readily hydrolyzed in aqueous solutions, and _____________ are resistant to
hydrolysis in aqueous solutions. - ANS esters; amides
what is the first sensation that is lost with local anesthetics? - ANS pain
what is the function of sodium chloride in local anesthetics? - ANS to maintain an isotonic
solution
what happens when there is infection in the area of an injection? - ANS because of its low
pH, local anesthetic is less effective.
what is the most commonly used local anesthesia without a vasoconstricter? -
ANS carbocaine 3%
what is the safe does of a vasoconstricter in a healthy patient? - ANS .2 mg
what is the safe does of a vasoconstricter for a cardiac compromised patient? - ANS .04 mg
what is the advantage of using a vasoconstricter in local anesthetic? - ANS they significantly
delay absorption and removal of the local anesthetic solution thus they provide a much longer
time for the completion of a procedure.
what is used as a preservative for epinephrine in local anesthetics? - ANS sodium bisulfite
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 10
BOARD REVIEW. EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
Describe the polarization of a nerve cell: - ANS at rest, inside of a cell is slightly (-) charged
and outside is lightly (+) charged. (70 mv) difference.
describe the depolarization of a nerve cell: - ANS when there is an influx of Na+ ions and it
causes the cell to become depolarized with a (+) charge.
describe the repolarization of a nerve cell: - ANS begins immediately after depolarization
with potassium (+) ions leaving the cell in order to restore equilibrium.
myelinated nerves conduct impulses _________ with ________ energy. - ANS faster; less
what do the nodes of ranvier on myelinated nerves allow for? - ANS the passage of local
anesthesia into the nerve cell.
what is the primary action of local anesthetics? - ANS to block pain perception/transmission
by decreasing permeability of sodium ions.
where does the biotransformation of esters occur? - ANS in the pseudocholinesterase of
blood plasma and is then excreted by the kidneys.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 10
, where does the biotransformation of amides occur? - ANS in the liver and is then excreted by
the kidneys.
which local anesthetic type is less likely to admit an allergic reaction? - ANS amides
___________ are readily hydrolyzed in aqueous solutions, and _____________ are resistant to
hydrolysis in aqueous solutions. - ANS esters; amides
what is the first sensation that is lost with local anesthetics? - ANS pain
what is the function of sodium chloride in local anesthetics? - ANS to maintain an isotonic
solution
what happens when there is infection in the area of an injection? - ANS because of its low
pH, local anesthetic is less effective.
what is the most commonly used local anesthesia without a vasoconstricter? -
ANS carbocaine 3%
what is the safe does of a vasoconstricter in a healthy patient? - ANS .2 mg
what is the safe does of a vasoconstricter for a cardiac compromised patient? - ANS .04 mg
what is the advantage of using a vasoconstricter in local anesthetic? - ANS they significantly
delay absorption and removal of the local anesthetic solution thus they provide a much longer
time for the completion of a procedure.
what is used as a preservative for epinephrine in local anesthetics? - ANS sodium bisulfite
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 10
