Case study #2: Chapter 8A 55-year-old female presents in the dental office for a crown preparation with final impressions on tooth number 30. As the auxiliary seats the patient, she asks the patient if there have been any changes in her medical history. The patient states that her physician has given her a bronchodilator. The procedure concludes with no complications and the dentist leaves the treatment room. As the patient is preparing to leave, she begins to cough, and the auxiliary observes that the patient is having difficulty breathing. The auxiliary looks for the patient’s bronchodilator.Questions4. What type of asthma attack is the patient most likely experiencing?5. What should the auxiliary have done prior to the beginning of treatment?6. What other condition could the patient be experiencing?

The patient is most likely experiencing an acute asthma attack. This is characterized by sudden onset of symptoms such as coughing and difficulty breathing, which are common symptoms of an asthma attack.

Prior to the beginning of treatment, the auxiliary should have asked the patient to bring her bronchodilator to the appointment. This is a necessary precaution in case the patient experiences an asthma attack during the procedure. The auxiliary should also have informed the dentist about the patient's medical condition and the medication she is taking.

Besides an asthma attack, the patient could also be experiencing an allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can be similar to those of an asthma attack and can include coughing and difficulty breathing. Other conditions that could cause similar symptoms include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, or a panic attack. However, given the patient's medical history and the presence of a bronchodilator, an asthma attack is the most likely cause.