NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Examination) Pharmacology
NBDHE (NATIONAL BOARD DENTAL HYGIENE EXAMINATION) PHARMACOLOGY
NEWEST 2025 SECTION WITH ACCURATE AND VERIFIED QUESTIONS COVERING
DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS, MECHANISMS OF ACTION, ADVERSE EFFECTS,
CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS IN DENTAL HYGIENE CARE
A 69-year-old man is a new patient to your practice. He states that he has a heart
condition but has never had a heart attack. He periodically experiences swelling of
the lower legs and is taking a medication called digoxin (Lanoxin). He is also taking
a "water pill." His vital signs are normal, but you do notice some edema around
the ankles. Questions 43 through 45 refer to this situation.
The "water pill" he is referring to is probably - ANSWER-A diuretic agent
If a person is taking a beta-blocker antagonist (β-adrenergic blocker) such as
propranolol (Inderal) or atenolol (Tenormin), tachycardia would be unlikely
because the blood-thinning ability of beta-blocking agents makes an increased
pulse rate unlikely. - ANSWER-True/False
Penicillin blood level peaks between 45 minutes and 2 hours when the drug is
administered orally or intramuscularly.
When penicillin is administered intravenously, the level peaks within 10 to 20
minutes. - ANSWER-False/False
Persons with the following conditions commonly take medications that can cause
drug-influenced gingival enlargement, EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?
- ANSWER-Bronchial asthma
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, NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Examination) Pharmacology
Which of the following statements concerning nitrous oxide-oxygen analgesia is
TRUE? - ANSWER-The agent can be used to relieve anxiety and pain in clients with
a history of cardiac disease.
Your client is taking Nizoral (ketoconazole) for esophageal candidiasis. Which of
the following medications should NOT be given with this medication? - ANSWER-
Hismanal (astemizole)
Which of the following medications is used as a protease inhibitor in HIV therapy?
- ANSWER-Ritonavir
Your client is taking Flagyl (metronidazole) and requires a mouthrinse to help
control dental plaque and gingivitis. Which of the following should be
recommended? - ANSWER-A rinse without alcohol
All local anesthetic solutions currently used in professional oral healthcare are
categorized as - ANSWER-amides
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the use of vasoconstrictors
for clients who have previous coronary artery disease? - ANSWER-Use of
vasoconstrictors is advisable if the concentration is not greater than 1:100,000
epinephrine and the total dose is not greater than 0.04 mg.
Your client who takes Ativan (lorazepam) for "pre-dental nerves" approximately 1
hour before her scheduled procedure can drive herself to and from the
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, NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Examination) Pharmacology
appointment because this medication does not impair cognitive functioning. -
ANSWER-False, False
Which of the following pain medications is indicated for clients taking Ticlid
(ticlopidine)? - ANSWER-Tylenol (acetaminophen)
Which of the following medications is the antiviral agent of choice for the
treatment of herpetic infections? - ANSWER-Acyclovir
Sustained-release, local drug delivery systems used in conjunction with
periodontal debridement for pocket reduction is preferred over systemic delivery
because local delivery occurs immediately and does not require prolonged time
periods. - ANSWER-True, False
Which one of the following drugs can increase the risk for developing oral
candidiasis? - ANSWER-Fluticasone (Flovent)
Which one of the following drugs is NOT used for reducing anxiety? - ANSWER-
Secobarbital (Seconal)
All of the following antimicrobial agents can be delivered via a cannula into the
client's periodontal pocket(s) EXCEPT one. Which one is this EXCEPTION? -
ANSWER-CHX chip
All of the following are side effects associated with oral contraceptives EXCEPT
one. Which one is the EXCEPTION? - ANSWER-Anorexia
3|Page
, NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Examination) Pharmacology
Nasal decongestants generally can be used on an "as needed" basis because their
rebound effect provides soothing moisture to irritated nasal membranes. -
ANSWER-False, false
The ceiling dose (effect) relates significantly to - ANSWER-threshold dose
When taken with antacids, which one of the following can result in a decrease in
intestinal absorption of the medication? - ANSWER-Meperidine (Demerol)
What is the mechanism by which a drug is made available to its site of action in
the body? - ANSWER-Distribution
A client taking a beta adrenergic blocking agent would MOST likely NOT
experience: - ANSWER-Tachycardia
Which of the following medications has a direct association of causing drug-
influenced gingival enlargement? - ANSWER-Procardia
A client is currently taking Elavil (amitriptyline) for depression and anxiety. She has
also been diagnosed with repaired congenital heart disease with residual defects
adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch. Which of the following drugs used in
dentistry is MOST likely to have an adverse effect with the Elavil? - ANSWER-LA w/
epi
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NBDHE (NATIONAL BOARD DENTAL HYGIENE EXAMINATION) PHARMACOLOGY
NEWEST 2025 SECTION WITH ACCURATE AND VERIFIED QUESTIONS COVERING
DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS, MECHANISMS OF ACTION, ADVERSE EFFECTS,
CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS IN DENTAL HYGIENE CARE
A 69-year-old man is a new patient to your practice. He states that he has a heart
condition but has never had a heart attack. He periodically experiences swelling of
the lower legs and is taking a medication called digoxin (Lanoxin). He is also taking
a "water pill." His vital signs are normal, but you do notice some edema around
the ankles. Questions 43 through 45 refer to this situation.
The "water pill" he is referring to is probably - ANSWER-A diuretic agent
If a person is taking a beta-blocker antagonist (β-adrenergic blocker) such as
propranolol (Inderal) or atenolol (Tenormin), tachycardia would be unlikely
because the blood-thinning ability of beta-blocking agents makes an increased
pulse rate unlikely. - ANSWER-True/False
Penicillin blood level peaks between 45 minutes and 2 hours when the drug is
administered orally or intramuscularly.
When penicillin is administered intravenously, the level peaks within 10 to 20
minutes. - ANSWER-False/False
Persons with the following conditions commonly take medications that can cause
drug-influenced gingival enlargement, EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?
- ANSWER-Bronchial asthma
1|Page
, NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Examination) Pharmacology
Which of the following statements concerning nitrous oxide-oxygen analgesia is
TRUE? - ANSWER-The agent can be used to relieve anxiety and pain in clients with
a history of cardiac disease.
Your client is taking Nizoral (ketoconazole) for esophageal candidiasis. Which of
the following medications should NOT be given with this medication? - ANSWER-
Hismanal (astemizole)
Which of the following medications is used as a protease inhibitor in HIV therapy?
- ANSWER-Ritonavir
Your client is taking Flagyl (metronidazole) and requires a mouthrinse to help
control dental plaque and gingivitis. Which of the following should be
recommended? - ANSWER-A rinse without alcohol
All local anesthetic solutions currently used in professional oral healthcare are
categorized as - ANSWER-amides
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the use of vasoconstrictors
for clients who have previous coronary artery disease? - ANSWER-Use of
vasoconstrictors is advisable if the concentration is not greater than 1:100,000
epinephrine and the total dose is not greater than 0.04 mg.
Your client who takes Ativan (lorazepam) for "pre-dental nerves" approximately 1
hour before her scheduled procedure can drive herself to and from the
2|Page
, NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Examination) Pharmacology
appointment because this medication does not impair cognitive functioning. -
ANSWER-False, False
Which of the following pain medications is indicated for clients taking Ticlid
(ticlopidine)? - ANSWER-Tylenol (acetaminophen)
Which of the following medications is the antiviral agent of choice for the
treatment of herpetic infections? - ANSWER-Acyclovir
Sustained-release, local drug delivery systems used in conjunction with
periodontal debridement for pocket reduction is preferred over systemic delivery
because local delivery occurs immediately and does not require prolonged time
periods. - ANSWER-True, False
Which one of the following drugs can increase the risk for developing oral
candidiasis? - ANSWER-Fluticasone (Flovent)
Which one of the following drugs is NOT used for reducing anxiety? - ANSWER-
Secobarbital (Seconal)
All of the following antimicrobial agents can be delivered via a cannula into the
client's periodontal pocket(s) EXCEPT one. Which one is this EXCEPTION? -
ANSWER-CHX chip
All of the following are side effects associated with oral contraceptives EXCEPT
one. Which one is the EXCEPTION? - ANSWER-Anorexia
3|Page
, NBDHE (National Board Dental Hygiene Examination) Pharmacology
Nasal decongestants generally can be used on an "as needed" basis because their
rebound effect provides soothing moisture to irritated nasal membranes. -
ANSWER-False, false
The ceiling dose (effect) relates significantly to - ANSWER-threshold dose
When taken with antacids, which one of the following can result in a decrease in
intestinal absorption of the medication? - ANSWER-Meperidine (Demerol)
What is the mechanism by which a drug is made available to its site of action in
the body? - ANSWER-Distribution
A client taking a beta adrenergic blocking agent would MOST likely NOT
experience: - ANSWER-Tachycardia
Which of the following medications has a direct association of causing drug-
influenced gingival enlargement? - ANSWER-Procardia
A client is currently taking Elavil (amitriptyline) for depression and anxiety. She has
also been diagnosed with repaired congenital heart disease with residual defects
adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch. Which of the following drugs used in
dentistry is MOST likely to have an adverse effect with the Elavil? - ANSWER-LA w/
epi
4|Page
