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ADEX exam

ADEX Medical Emergencies OSCE – High-Yield Decision Guide

The emergency scenarios that appear most often, the drug doses you must know, and the safest exam-style responses.

Quick Answers

What emergencies appear most in the ADEX OSCE?

Syncope, hypoglycemia, angina, asthma, anaphylaxis, and mild allergic reactions.

What is the #1 emergency OSCE rule?

Stabilize first, diagnose second. The safest action always scores best.

What is the dose of epinephrine for anaphylaxis?

0.3–0.5 mg of 1:1000 IM, repeat every 5–15 minutes if needed.

How do you treat hypoglycemia?

Give glucose (oral if conscious, IV/IM if unconscious).

What is the emergency algorithm for angina?

Nitroglycerin + oxygen → repeat up to 3 doses → if unresolved → treat as MI.

What do most students get wrong?

They choose a “clinical” answer instead of the “safest immediate action.”

1. Why emergencies are the easiest OSCE marks

ADEX emergency questions repeat the same logic every year. They test whether you know:

  • First-line drug choices
  • Correct dose and route
  • Immediate stabilization steps
  • When to activate EMS

If you memorize the patterns, these become free points.

2. Syncope – the most common scenario

Classic signs: pale, dizzy, slow pulse, sweating.

  • Lay patient supine with legs elevated
  • Loosen tight clothing
  • Oxygen if needed
  • Ammonia vapor is optional, not required

Do NOT give glucose, nitro, or medications — syncope is positional and self-limiting.

3. Hypoglycemia – fast recognition saves the question

Common signs: confusion, sweating, tremors, tachycardia, irritability.

  • Conscious → give oral glucose (gel/tablets/juice)
  • Unconscious → glucagon IM or IV dextrose
  • Never delay carbohydrate intake in borderline cases

High-yield clue

A confused diabetic = treat as hypoglycemia until proven otherwise.

4. Angina & MI – the chest pain decision tree

The OSCE will ask for the next best step, not the long-term plan.

Angina action steps:
  • Stop treatment
  • Administer nitroglycerin (0.4 mg sublingual)
  • Give oxygen
  • Repeat nitro up to 3 times over 15 minutes

If pain does NOT resolve → treat as MI.

MI action steps:
  • CHEW aspirin (if not allergic)
  • Activate EMS
  • Monitor vitals and oxygen

5. Asthma attack – quick relief rules

Classic OSCE features: wheezing, difficulty breathing, accessory muscle use.

  • Position upright
  • Use albuterol inhaler (2 puffs)
  • Oxygen if needed
  • If severe → epinephrine 1:1000 IM

6. Anaphylaxis – the highest-risk scenario

Signs: swelling, wheezing, hypotension, widespread rash, difficulty breathing.

Critical rule

Epinephrine FIRST. Everything else is secondary.

  • Epinephrine 0.3–0.5 mg IM (1:1000)
  • Call EMS immediately
  • Oxygen
  • Antihistamines after epinephrine is delivered

7. Mild allergic reaction – don’t confuse with anaphylaxis

Localized rash or mild itching without airway compromise.

  • Administer an antihistamine (e.g., diphenhydramine)
  • No epinephrine unless airway symptoms appear

8. Hyperventilation – students often overreact

Rapid breathing, tingling, tight chest, anxiety.

  • Reassure patient
  • Have them breathe slowly into cupped hands
  • No oxygen (it worsens symptoms)

9. How emergencies appear in OSCE questions

Most emergency questions follow a predictable pattern:

  • Short case → key symptoms highlighted
  • Four answer choices
  • Only one is immediately safe

The key is to choose the action that stabilizes the patient quickly, not the final medical treatment.

10. How DentAIstudy helps with emergency OSCE prep

DentAIstudy can structure emergency training through short, focused drills, especially when combined with the ADEX Emergency Drug Kit guide.

  • Flashcards for emergency drug doses and first-line actions
  • Generated OSCE-style emergency questions
  • Short notes summarizing key symptoms and first steps
  • Case-based reasoning prompts for decision-making

Try Study Builder →

References

  • ADEX OSCE Emergency Guidelines
  • Standard dental emergency protocols
  • Clinical pharmacology references for emergency drugs