Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: sedation in children: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: sedation in children

Sample item

A child is given nitrous oxide and oxygen for dental anxiety. At the end of the procedure, what should be done to prevent diffusion hypoxia?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Give 100 percent oxygen for a few minutes

Nitrous oxide leaves the blood rapidly when stopped and can dilute alveolar oxygen. Breathing 100 percent oxygen for several minutes prevents diffusion hypoxia.

Option by option

  • A. Give intravenous flumazenil

    Flumazenil reverses benzodiazepines, which have not been used.

  • B. Give 100 percent oxygen for a few minutes (correct)

    Correct. Oxygen washout prevents the dilutional hypoxia.

  • C. Give oral glucose

    Glucose treats hypoglycaemia, which is not the problem.

  • D. Give intramuscular atropine

    Atropine is an antisialagogue and does not address hypoxia.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, Give 100 percent oxygen for a few minutes. Nitrous oxide leaves the blood rapidly when stopped and can dilute alveolar oxygen.

Why is "Give intravenous flumazenil" not the answer?

Flumazenil reverses benzodiazepines, which have not been used.

Why is "Give oral glucose" not the answer?

Glucose treats hypoglycaemia, which is not the problem.

Why is "Give intramuscular atropine" not the answer?

Atropine is an antisialagogue and does not address hypoxia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: sedation in children in Dentistry. Breathing 100 percent oxygen for several minutes prevents diffusion hypoxia.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: sedation in children?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.