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Oral Surgery · single question

A patient on an anticoagulant calls hours after an extraction reporting continued oozing despite gauze pressure. What should you do?

  1. Instruct her to rinse vigorously with warm salt water
  2. Tell her to keep biting on gauze and call tomorrow if it continues
  3. Advise her to take an additional dose of her anticoagulant
  4. Ask her to come to the office for evaluation
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. Ask her to come to the office for evaluation

  • A. Vigorous rinsing dislodges the forming clot and worsens the bleeding.
  • B. Deferring evaluation risks progressive blood loss and airway compromise from an expanding hematoma.
  • C. Increasing anticoagulation is directly contraindicated.
  • D. Correct. Persistent bleeding despite correct pressure requires direct assessment. In the office you can identify the source and apply local hemostatic measures — oxidized cellulose, gelatin sponge, tranexamic acid rinse, or suturing.

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