Strange question from the NREMT-P test today

[Christine Chambers]

Hello all,

So I took my written (computer) exam for NREMT-P today. I'm pretty sure I failed but there was a question that stuck in my head.

You arrive on the scene of an assault. You find four of the victim's teeth. The best liquid to transport the teeth in is:

a) Isopropyl Alcohol

Milk

c) Glucose Gel

d) Ice Water.

What do you think the answer is?

(I know dentist say that you should put teeth in milk but there is a slim to none chance they can be reattached. My theroy is, who carries milk on an ambulance? Am I to make a stop at a grocery store? What if I am in the middle of no where? ) Thoughts on this question?

[AnthonyM83]

I don't know the correct answer, but do you carry any of the other items, other than glucose gel?

[Christine Chambers]

Hey, thanks for the reply. Glucose gel was MY thought and what I picked but I can't find a definitive "correct" answer anywhere.

[b.anderson]

I was taught to put teeth in saline with a 4x4 or two surrounding it. So water, or ice water would likely do the trick as well. Glucose gel in my opinion would damage the teeth more than preserve it for reattachment, and I can't see how isopropyl alcohol will help preserve them. I'm not sure of milk, I'd be concerned about the sugars in it that may damage the teeth. I would have answered, ice water.

[Christine Chambers]

If you google the basic question, every dentist, and even the NIH say milk. I haven't found water, glucose or isopropyl alcohol anywhere. Plus I haven't found it any of my books. It's driving me nuts. I'd love to ask the NREMT what their theory behind it is.

[spenac]

Milk. Guess they expect you to stop by the store.

[Christine Chambers]

I guess I should have put a sarcasm smiley next to my "Do they want me to stop at the store?" comment. I mean really! Doesn't everyone have a fully stocked fridge, or, better yet, a cow on their truck??

[Lytefall]

I had a similar scenario recently only my patient was assaulted by a skateboard ramp instead of a fist. Kids dad was a dental surgeon and he had put the teeth in milk prior to our arrival so I would say that is the correct answer. Guess your swinging by the corner store en route...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mobey]

I guess I should have put a sarcasm smiley next to my "Do they want me to stop at the store?" comment. I mean really! Doesn't everyone have a fully stocked fridge, or, better yet, a cow on their truck??

I work in a different environment I am sure. But I would stop at 7-11 and grab milk if it meant better patient care..... of course remote settings hae different rules.

After a little research....

Ph of a tooth: 6.8-7.0

Ph of saline: 7.4 (same as blood)

Ph of sterile water 7.0

Ph of 2% milk: 6.8

[b.anderson]

I found this University of Queensland article about the use of UHT (ultra-high-temperature processing) milk for the preservation of teeth: http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=1413