Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

Is it safe to administer nitrous oxide to a patient with asthma?

1. True

2. False

3. Only with precautions

4. Only if they have a bronchodilator

The correct answer is: False

Administering nitrous oxide to a patient with asthma is generally considered safe, but it requires careful consideration of the individual patient's condition and potential responses. The correct understanding of this scenario is to recognize that nitrous oxide can lead to respiratory depression in some circumstances, potentially complicating asthma symptoms, especially if the patient experiences an acute exacerbation or has poorly controlled asthma. Patients with asthma can have heightened airway reactivity, and while nitrous oxide is a sedative and analgesic agent, it is not a bronchodilator. Inhalation of nitrous oxide does not replace the need for bronchodilators or other asthma medications, which patients may require if they are experiencing bronchospasm. Safety protocols typically emphasize monitoring the patient's respiratory status throughout the procedure. While many asthmatic patients may tolerate nitrous oxide well, it is critical for the clinician to achieve an understanding of the patient's asthma severity and any recent exacerbations, hence why more conservative answers like being safely cautious are preferred. The other options would imply either blanket permissions or denials that do not consider the nuances of each patient case, which is contrary to the best practices in managing patients with co-existing conditions. In summary, while nitrous oxide can be used in