HESI General Chairside Assisting Practice Exam

How should dental offices assist patients who have visual impairments?

1. Provide large print materials

2. Offer the patient your arm and guide them

3. Use verbal instructions only

4. Install special visual aids

The correct answer is: Offer the patient your arm and guide them

Assisting patients with visual impairments involves understanding their specific needs and providing appropriate support to ensure their comfort and safety within the dental office. Offering your arm and guiding the patient is an effective way to assist them since it allows for personal interaction and enables them to sense your movements, which can provide greater security and orientation as they navigate the environment. This method helps create a safe space for the patient, allowing them to follow your lead while they are moving in an unfamiliar setting. It also conveys a sense of attentiveness and care, which is essential when dealing with patients who may feel vulnerable due to their visual challenges. Providing large print materials, using verbal instructions only, or installing special visual aids can be beneficial strategies for some patients but may not directly assist them in physical navigation through the dental office. Each of these methods has its own advantages in terms of providing information or additional support, but guiding a patient physically using your arm can often be the most immediate and helpful form of assistance for individuals with visual impairments.