GENERAL AND ORAL PATHOLOGY FOR
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
Question 1
1️⃣ Reference
Ch. 1️ — Overview of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
2️⃣ Question Stem
A 52️-year-old patient presents for a routine dental hygiene visit
with a newly noted, asymptomatic white patch on the lateral
border of the tongue. As a clinician applying the principles of
oral and maxillofacial pathology, which initial concept best
explains why recognition of such lesions is essential in dental
practice?
3️⃣ Options (A–D)
A. Most white patches are malignant and require immediate
surgical excision.
B. Early recognition allows for appropriate triage, further
,diagnostic testing, and timely management.
C. White patches rarely change and can be ignored during
routine care.
D. Only specialists should evaluate mucosal lesions; dental
hygienists need not document them.
4️⃣ Correct Answer
B
5⃣ Rationales
• Correct (B): Early recognition and documentation enable
appropriate triage, use of diagnostic adjuncts, and timely
referral or biopsy when indicated, reducing morbidity.
• A: Not all white patches are malignant; many are benign or
reactive (e.g., frictional keratosis), so immediate excision is
not universally appropriate.
• C: Lesion stability cannot be assumed; many lesions
change over time and require monitoring.
• D: Dental hygienists play a frontline role in detection and
documentation; ignoring lesions would delay care.
6️⃣ Teaching Point
Early lesion recognition enables triage, diagnostics, and timely
referral.
7️⃣ Citation (simplified APA)
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2️02️3️). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3️rd Ed.). Ch. 1️.
,Question 2
1️⃣ Reference
Ch. 1️ — Overview of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
2️⃣ Question Stem
During an oral exam you note a 1️.5 cm ulcer with an indurated
base on the ventrolateral tongue in a 6️0-year-old smoker.
Which overarching pathologic principle best guides your
immediate concern?
3️⃣ Options (A–D)
A. Ulcers of any size on keratinized mucosa are always viral.
B. Induration and persistence in high-risk patients raise concern
for dysplasia or malignancy.
C. Ulcers in older patients are typically aphthous and self-
limiting.
D. Smoking protects the mucosa from malignant
transformation.
4️⃣ Correct Answer
B
5⃣ Rationales
• Correct (B): Induration and persistence, especially on the
lateral tongue of a smoker, increase suspicion for dysplastic
change or squamous cell carcinoma and warrant prompt
evaluation/biopsy.
, • A: Viral ulcers have variable presentations; size and
location alone don’t establish viral etiology.
• C: Aphthous ulcers are usually painful and resolve;
persistent indurated ulcers are not typical aphthous
lesions.
• D: Smoking is a known risk factor for malignant
transformation, not protective.
6️⃣ Teaching Point
Persistent, indurated ulcers in high-risk patients warrant prompt
evaluation for malignancy.
7️⃣ Citation (simplified APA)
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2️02️3️). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3️rd Ed.). Ch. 1️.
Question 3
1️⃣ Reference
Ch. 1️ — The Practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
2️⃣ Question Stem
A dental hygienist is preparing a referral to an oral pathologist
for a suspicious palatal lesion. Which piece of information is
most critical to include to support the pathologist’s diagnostic
process?
3️⃣ Options (A–D)
A. The patient’s favorite toothpaste brand
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
Question 1
1️⃣ Reference
Ch. 1️ — Overview of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
2️⃣ Question Stem
A 52️-year-old patient presents for a routine dental hygiene visit
with a newly noted, asymptomatic white patch on the lateral
border of the tongue. As a clinician applying the principles of
oral and maxillofacial pathology, which initial concept best
explains why recognition of such lesions is essential in dental
practice?
3️⃣ Options (A–D)
A. Most white patches are malignant and require immediate
surgical excision.
B. Early recognition allows for appropriate triage, further
,diagnostic testing, and timely management.
C. White patches rarely change and can be ignored during
routine care.
D. Only specialists should evaluate mucosal lesions; dental
hygienists need not document them.
4️⃣ Correct Answer
B
5⃣ Rationales
• Correct (B): Early recognition and documentation enable
appropriate triage, use of diagnostic adjuncts, and timely
referral or biopsy when indicated, reducing morbidity.
• A: Not all white patches are malignant; many are benign or
reactive (e.g., frictional keratosis), so immediate excision is
not universally appropriate.
• C: Lesion stability cannot be assumed; many lesions
change over time and require monitoring.
• D: Dental hygienists play a frontline role in detection and
documentation; ignoring lesions would delay care.
6️⃣ Teaching Point
Early lesion recognition enables triage, diagnostics, and timely
referral.
7️⃣ Citation (simplified APA)
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2️02️3️). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3️rd Ed.). Ch. 1️.
,Question 2
1️⃣ Reference
Ch. 1️ — Overview of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
2️⃣ Question Stem
During an oral exam you note a 1️.5 cm ulcer with an indurated
base on the ventrolateral tongue in a 6️0-year-old smoker.
Which overarching pathologic principle best guides your
immediate concern?
3️⃣ Options (A–D)
A. Ulcers of any size on keratinized mucosa are always viral.
B. Induration and persistence in high-risk patients raise concern
for dysplasia or malignancy.
C. Ulcers in older patients are typically aphthous and self-
limiting.
D. Smoking protects the mucosa from malignant
transformation.
4️⃣ Correct Answer
B
5⃣ Rationales
• Correct (B): Induration and persistence, especially on the
lateral tongue of a smoker, increase suspicion for dysplastic
change or squamous cell carcinoma and warrant prompt
evaluation/biopsy.
, • A: Viral ulcers have variable presentations; size and
location alone don’t establish viral etiology.
• C: Aphthous ulcers are usually painful and resolve;
persistent indurated ulcers are not typical aphthous
lesions.
• D: Smoking is a known risk factor for malignant
transformation, not protective.
6️⃣ Teaching Point
Persistent, indurated ulcers in high-risk patients warrant prompt
evaluation for malignancy.
7️⃣ Citation (simplified APA)
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2️02️3️). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3️rd Ed.). Ch. 1️.
Question 3
1️⃣ Reference
Ch. 1️ — The Practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
2️⃣ Question Stem
A dental hygienist is preparing a referral to an oral pathologist
for a suspicious palatal lesion. Which piece of information is
most critical to include to support the pathologist’s diagnostic
process?
3️⃣ Options (A–D)
A. The patient’s favorite toothpaste brand
