GENERAL AND ORAL PATHOLOGY FOR
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral Pathologic Lesions
Question Stem
A 58-year-old smoker presents with a solitary, 1.5-cm
undermined ulcer on the lateral tongue present for 3 weeks
that bleeds easily and is firm at the base. What is the MOST
appropriate next step in management?
Options
A. Prescribe topical corticosteroids and re-evaluate in 2 weeks
B. Obtain an immediate incisional biopsy of the lesion
C. Start systemic antibiotics for presumed infection
D. Reassure the patient and observe for another 2–4 weeks
,Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): Persistent, firm, bleeding ulcers on the lateral
tongue in a cigarette smoker are red flags for malignancy;
Myers & Curran emphasize prompt tissue diagnosis via
incisional biopsy for lesions suspicious for cancer.
• Incorrect (A): Topical steroids are appropriate for
inflammatory or immune-mediated ulcers but would delay
diagnosis in a lesion suspicious for carcinoma.
• Incorrect (C): There is no clinical evidence of acute
bacterial infection; empiric antibiotics would not address a
potential neoplasm.
• Incorrect (D): Observation risks delaying diagnosis of a
potentially malignant lesion; lesions >2 weeks with high-
risk features require biopsy.
Teaching Point
Nonhealing, firm ulcers with risk factors require prompt biopsy.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
2
,Reference
Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment and History
Question Stem
A 67-year-old patient reports chronic dry mouth after starting
several new medications for hypertension and depression.
Which piece of history is MOST relevant to assessing oral
mucosal disease risk?
Options
A. Duration and dosage of the current medications
B. Patient’s occupation and daily commute time
C. Color preference for toothpaste
D. Favorite dietary snack
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
• Correct (A): Myers & Curran highlight medication history—
duration and dose—because many drugs (anticholinergics,
antihypertensives, antidepressants) cause xerostomia,
increasing caries and mucosal disease risk.
• Incorrect (B): Occupation/commute may influence general
health but is less directly relevant to medication-induced
xerostomia.
• Incorrect (C): Toothpaste color is irrelevant to pathologic
oral conditions.
, • Incorrect (D): Diet matters for caries risk but is secondary
to identifying medication causes of xerostomia.
Teaching Point
Medication type, dose, and duration are critical for xerostomia-
related oral disease risk.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Signs and Symptoms
Question Stem
A patient complains of a constant burning sensation of the
tongue with no visible mucosal changes and normal salivary
flow. Which diagnosis is MOST consistent with this
presentation?
Options
A. Pseudomembranous candidiasis
B. Burning mouth syndrome
C. Erythroplakia
D. Traumatic ulcer
Correct Answer
B
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral Pathologic Lesions
Question Stem
A 58-year-old smoker presents with a solitary, 1.5-cm
undermined ulcer on the lateral tongue present for 3 weeks
that bleeds easily and is firm at the base. What is the MOST
appropriate next step in management?
Options
A. Prescribe topical corticosteroids and re-evaluate in 2 weeks
B. Obtain an immediate incisional biopsy of the lesion
C. Start systemic antibiotics for presumed infection
D. Reassure the patient and observe for another 2–4 weeks
,Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): Persistent, firm, bleeding ulcers on the lateral
tongue in a cigarette smoker are red flags for malignancy;
Myers & Curran emphasize prompt tissue diagnosis via
incisional biopsy for lesions suspicious for cancer.
• Incorrect (A): Topical steroids are appropriate for
inflammatory or immune-mediated ulcers but would delay
diagnosis in a lesion suspicious for carcinoma.
• Incorrect (C): There is no clinical evidence of acute
bacterial infection; empiric antibiotics would not address a
potential neoplasm.
• Incorrect (D): Observation risks delaying diagnosis of a
potentially malignant lesion; lesions >2 weeks with high-
risk features require biopsy.
Teaching Point
Nonhealing, firm ulcers with risk factors require prompt biopsy.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
2
,Reference
Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment and History
Question Stem
A 67-year-old patient reports chronic dry mouth after starting
several new medications for hypertension and depression.
Which piece of history is MOST relevant to assessing oral
mucosal disease risk?
Options
A. Duration and dosage of the current medications
B. Patient’s occupation and daily commute time
C. Color preference for toothpaste
D. Favorite dietary snack
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
• Correct (A): Myers & Curran highlight medication history—
duration and dose—because many drugs (anticholinergics,
antihypertensives, antidepressants) cause xerostomia,
increasing caries and mucosal disease risk.
• Incorrect (B): Occupation/commute may influence general
health but is less directly relevant to medication-induced
xerostomia.
• Incorrect (C): Toothpaste color is irrelevant to pathologic
oral conditions.
, • Incorrect (D): Diet matters for caries risk but is secondary
to identifying medication causes of xerostomia.
Teaching Point
Medication type, dose, and duration are critical for xerostomia-
related oral disease risk.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Signs and Symptoms
Question Stem
A patient complains of a constant burning sensation of the
tongue with no visible mucosal changes and normal salivary
flow. Which diagnosis is MOST consistent with this
presentation?
Options
A. Pseudomembranous candidiasis
B. Burning mouth syndrome
C. Erythroplakia
D. Traumatic ulcer
Correct Answer
B
