Prepare for the DANB General Chairside Exam. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Get exam-ready with confidence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Which of the following is not a recommended postoperative instruction for controlling bleeding after a surgical procedure?

  1. Apply an ice pack on the affected area

  2. Rinse vigorously after 6 hours

  3. Keep head elevated while resting

  4. Maintain a gauze pad over the extraction site

The correct answer is: Rinse vigorously after 6 hours

Rinsing vigorously after a surgical procedure is not recommended as a postoperative instruction for controlling bleeding. This action can disturb the clot that has formed at the extraction site, potentially leading to increased bleeding or even a dry socket, which is a painful complication that occurs when the blood clot dislodges or dissolves too soon. In contrast, using an ice pack on the affected area helps to reduce swelling and constrict blood vessels, which can assist in minimizing bleeding. Keeping the head elevated while resting promotes better blood circulation and reduces pressure on the surgical site, aiding in the healing process. Maintaining a gauze pad over the extraction site is crucial as it helps to apply pressure, which is essential for controlling bleeding and allows the blood clot to form properly.