ASA classifications

Question 1

ASA I

Answer 1

• patients are considered normal and healthy
• able to walk up one flight of stairs or 2 level city blocks w/out distress
• little or no anxiety
  -little or no risk
  (green flag for treatment)

Question 2

ASA II

Answer 2

• mild to moderate systemic disease or healthy ASA I patients with more extreme anxiety toward dentistry
• able to walk up one flight of stairs or 2 level city blocks but must stop after completion bc of distress
• minimal risk during treatment (yellow flag)

Question 3

What are some examples of ASA II patients?

Answer 3

• history of well controlled disease states incl. non-insulin dependent diabetes, prehypertension, epilepsy, asthma, or thyroid condidtions
• ASA I w/ respiratory condition, pregnancy, and/or active allergies
• ASA I w/ extreme anxiety or fear towards dentistry

Question 4

ASA III

Answer 4

• severe systemic disease that limits activity but not incapacitating
• stress reduction protocol and treatment modifications are indicated (yellow flag)

Question 5

What are some examples of ASA type III patients?

Answer 5

• history of angina pectoris
• myocardial infarction
• cerebrovasuclar accident
• congestive heart failure over 6 months ago
• slight chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• controlled insulin dependent diabetes or hypertension
• need medical consulation

Question 6

ASA IV

Answer 6

• severe systemic disease that limits activity and is constant threat to life
• cannot perform physical activity
• distress present at rest
• must postpone dental care until improve to ASA III

Question 7

What are some examples of ASA IV patients?

Answer 7

• history of unstable angina pectoris
• myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular incident in past 6 months
• severe congestive heart failure
• moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• uncontrolled diabetes
• uncontrolled hypertension
• epilepsy
• thyroid condition

Question 8

ASA V

Answer 8

• moribund and not expected to survive more than 24 hrs with or without an operation
• almost always hospitalized, terminally ill (red flag)

Question 9

ASA VI

Answer 9

clinically dead patients being maintained for harvesting of organs