In dental assessment of an asthma patient, which history aspects should be reviewed?

• A. Well-controlled status, severity and frequency of attacks, recent attacks/ER visits, and triggers
• B. Favorite toothpaste flavor
• C. Shoe size and height
• D. Hair color

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is assessing safety and planning for dental care based on how well the patient’s asthma is controlled and what recent events have occurred. Knowing whether asthma is well controlled, the overall severity and how often attacks happen, any recent attacks or ER visits, and the patient’s triggers helps you gauge the risk of an acute bronchospasm during a procedure and tailor the visit accordingly. If control is good and attacks are infrequent, the appointment can proceed with standard precautions and the patient’s rescue inhaler readily available. If there have been recent attacks or poor control, you may need medical clearance, a shorter or staged appointment, and extra monitoring or adjustments in plan to reduce risk. Identifying triggers lets you minimize exposure in the office—for example, by reducing anxiety, controlling environmental factors, and ensuring the patient has and knows how to use their inhaler. Options about toothpaste flavor, height or shoe size, or hair color don’t relate to asthma risk or dental safety, so they’re not relevant to this assessment.