Medical Emergencies · single question
How can a clinician help reduce a patient's gag reflex during dental treatment?
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Correct answer: A. Have the patient breathe through the nose, swallow, and lift one leg
Gag reflex management techniques: nasal breathing (activates soft palate differently), swallowing (temporarily inhibits reflex), lifting one leg (proprioceptive distraction). Source confirms: 'have the patient breathe through her nose, swallow, and lift her leg.'
- A. CORRECT. Nasal breathing + swallowing + lifting one leg — three effective combined gag reflex management techniques.
- B. Mouth breathing WORSENS the gag reflex — increases posterior palate/oropharynx sensitivity.
- C. Antihistamines are not standard first-line treatment for gag reflex in dental office.
- D. Trendelenburg is for syncope/shock — not gag reflex.
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