HESI Dental Hygiene Case-Based Practice Test 2026 | Latest
Update | Questions & Answers | Graded A+
1. In a scenario where a 75-year-old patient requires multiple intraoral
radiographs, what should the dental hygienist do to ensure patient safety
regarding radiation exposure?
Use a lower dose of radiation without protective gear.
Place a lead apron and thyroid collar on the patient.
Only inform the patient about the risks of radiation.
Skip the radiographs to avoid any risk.
2. A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol 'prn'. If the patient experiences
an asthma attack, how should they use their medication?
They should use the medication as needed during the attack.
They should take the medication only after meals.
They should wait for a doctor’s instruction before using it.
They should take the medication twice a day regardless of symptoms.
3. This patient has several permanent teeth erupting in misaligned positions
most likely due to premature loss of primary teeth. It would be beneficial for
this patient to receive an orthodontic referral.
Both are false
The first statement is false, second is true
The first statement is true, second is false
Both are true
,4. A dental hygienist notices that a 10-year-old patient has a respiration rate of
40 breaths per minute during a routine check-up. What should be the
hygienist's immediate course of action?
Ignore the respiration rate as it is not relevant to dental hygiene.
Assess the patient for signs of respiratory distress and notify the
dentist.
Continue with the dental cleaning without concern.
Record the respiration rate and proceed with the appointment as
usual.
5. What is the primary factor identified as causing periodontal destruction in the
provided scenario?
Gram+ periodontal pathogens located next to periodontium
Host-mediated response to periodontal pathogens
Neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis
Oral biofilm's immunoinflammatory response
6. A 50-year-old man presents with symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and a
sensation of lightheadedness upon standing up from a sitting position. He
reports that these symptoms improve when he changes positions slowly.
Which of the following is the most likely cause of his symptoms?
Hypertensive urgency
Cardiogenic hypotension
Vasovagal hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension
,7. Describe the role of filiform papillae in the oral cavity.
Filiform papillae are primarily involved in the absorption of nutrients.
Filiform papillae are responsible for taste sensation.
Filiform papillae are involved in the secretion of saliva.
Filiform papillae provide texture to the tongue and assist in the
mechanical aspect of food manipulation.
8. Describe why glass ionomer is often recommended for patients with certain
health conditions in dental hygiene practice.
Glass ionomer is often recommended because it releases fluoride
and adheres well to tooth structure, making it suitable for patients
with specific health conditions.
Glass ionomer is primarily used for its aesthetic qualities in cosmetic
dentistry.
Glass ionomer is the most durable material for all types of
restorations.
Glass ionomer is used exclusively for temporary restorations.
9. Which tooth numbers are indicated as having visible calculus in the provided
case?
#3, 31
#5, 21
#4, 31
#1, 32
, 10. At what age is it common to expose a panoramic radiograph to evaluate
growth and development?
10 years old
12 years old
6 years old
8 years old
11. In a clinical scenario where a patient has a high risk of caries and requires a
restoration, which property of glass ionomer would be most beneficial?
Aesthetic appearance
Ease of application
Biocompatibility with pulp
Higher wear resistance than resins
12. When placing an intraoral radiographic film, the incidence of gagging may
be reduced by:
The use of mouth rinses
Instructing the patient to breathe deeply
Accurate film placement
All are correct
The use of film holding devices
13. What is a characteristic of fibrotic tissue in relation to bleeding?
Fibrotic tissue is not related to inflammation.
Fibrotic tissue may bleed very little or not at all.
Update | Questions & Answers | Graded A+
1. In a scenario where a 75-year-old patient requires multiple intraoral
radiographs, what should the dental hygienist do to ensure patient safety
regarding radiation exposure?
Use a lower dose of radiation without protective gear.
Place a lead apron and thyroid collar on the patient.
Only inform the patient about the risks of radiation.
Skip the radiographs to avoid any risk.
2. A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol 'prn'. If the patient experiences
an asthma attack, how should they use their medication?
They should use the medication as needed during the attack.
They should take the medication only after meals.
They should wait for a doctor’s instruction before using it.
They should take the medication twice a day regardless of symptoms.
3. This patient has several permanent teeth erupting in misaligned positions
most likely due to premature loss of primary teeth. It would be beneficial for
this patient to receive an orthodontic referral.
Both are false
The first statement is false, second is true
The first statement is true, second is false
Both are true
,4. A dental hygienist notices that a 10-year-old patient has a respiration rate of
40 breaths per minute during a routine check-up. What should be the
hygienist's immediate course of action?
Ignore the respiration rate as it is not relevant to dental hygiene.
Assess the patient for signs of respiratory distress and notify the
dentist.
Continue with the dental cleaning without concern.
Record the respiration rate and proceed with the appointment as
usual.
5. What is the primary factor identified as causing periodontal destruction in the
provided scenario?
Gram+ periodontal pathogens located next to periodontium
Host-mediated response to periodontal pathogens
Neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis
Oral biofilm's immunoinflammatory response
6. A 50-year-old man presents with symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and a
sensation of lightheadedness upon standing up from a sitting position. He
reports that these symptoms improve when he changes positions slowly.
Which of the following is the most likely cause of his symptoms?
Hypertensive urgency
Cardiogenic hypotension
Vasovagal hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension
,7. Describe the role of filiform papillae in the oral cavity.
Filiform papillae are primarily involved in the absorption of nutrients.
Filiform papillae are responsible for taste sensation.
Filiform papillae are involved in the secretion of saliva.
Filiform papillae provide texture to the tongue and assist in the
mechanical aspect of food manipulation.
8. Describe why glass ionomer is often recommended for patients with certain
health conditions in dental hygiene practice.
Glass ionomer is often recommended because it releases fluoride
and adheres well to tooth structure, making it suitable for patients
with specific health conditions.
Glass ionomer is primarily used for its aesthetic qualities in cosmetic
dentistry.
Glass ionomer is the most durable material for all types of
restorations.
Glass ionomer is used exclusively for temporary restorations.
9. Which tooth numbers are indicated as having visible calculus in the provided
case?
#3, 31
#5, 21
#4, 31
#1, 32
, 10. At what age is it common to expose a panoramic radiograph to evaluate
growth and development?
10 years old
12 years old
6 years old
8 years old
11. In a clinical scenario where a patient has a high risk of caries and requires a
restoration, which property of glass ionomer would be most beneficial?
Aesthetic appearance
Ease of application
Biocompatibility with pulp
Higher wear resistance than resins
12. When placing an intraoral radiographic film, the incidence of gagging may
be reduced by:
The use of mouth rinses
Instructing the patient to breathe deeply
Accurate film placement
All are correct
The use of film holding devices
13. What is a characteristic of fibrotic tissue in relation to bleeding?
Fibrotic tissue is not related to inflammation.
Fibrotic tissue may bleed very little or not at all.
