Medical Emergencies · single question
A patient with diabetes and smoking habit — which factor poses GREATER risk for post-extraction infection?
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Correct answer: D. Uncontrolled diabetes poses greater risk
- A. ❌ Both significantly increase infection risk.
- B. ❌ Smoking impairs healing and promotes dry socket, but diabetes has a more profound immunosuppressive effect.
- C. ❌ They are not equal risk factors.
- D. ✅ Correct. Uncontrolled diabetes impairs neutrophil function, reduces wound healing, promotes bacterial growth through hyperglycemia, and broadly impairs immune response — greater risk for post-extraction infection than smoking alone.
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