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Medical Emergencies · single question

A patient has cardiac arrest in the dental chair. What is the BEST immediate treatment?

  1. Start CPR + use AED (defibrillation)
  2. Administer epinephrine 1:1000 IM
  3. Call 911 only and wait
  4. Administer nitroglycerin sublingually
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Correct answer: A. Start CPR + use AED (defibrillation)

  • A. Correct. For cardiac arrest, the best immediate treatment is CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) combined with early defibrillation via AED. Early CPR maintains circulation while the AED is retrieved. Together they are the most effective first response for cardiac arrest.
  • B. Epinephrine 1:1000 IM is used for anaphylaxis — not as first-line for cardiac arrest.
  • C. Calling 911 is essential but should be done simultaneously with starting CPR, not as the only action.
  • D. Nitroglycerin is for angina — it is not appropriate for cardiac arrest.

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