. Knowledge of pharmacology aids the dental professional in
a. obtaining a patient’s health history.
b. administering drugs in the office.
c. handling emergency situations.
d. selection of a nonprescription medication.
e. All of the above.
ANSWER: E
All of the choices are true. Because many of our patients are being treated with drugs, knowledge of
pharmacology helps in understanding and interpreting patients’ responses to health history questions.
Knowledge of the therapeutic and adverse effects of medications obviously helps in their proper
administration in the office. Emergency situations may be caused by drugs or treated by drugs; thus,
knowledge of pharmacology is of great help, especially because a rapid response is sometimes required. A
clear understanding of the concepts of drug action, drug handling by the body, and drug interactions will
allow the dental practitioner to make proper judgments and grasp the concepts relevant to new drug
therapies on the market.
DIF: Application
REF: Role of the Dental Hygienist (Medication/Health History), Role of the Dental Hygienist (Medication 
Administration), Role of the Dental Hygienist (Emergency Situations), Role of the Dental Hygienist
(Nonprescription Medication) | pp. 2-3 OBJ: 1
TOP: NBDHE, 6.0. Pharmacology