NBDHE Exam Version 1 2025: Complete Study Guide,
Practice Questions, Exam Format & Proven Strategies to
Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
Prepare for the NBDHE Exam Version 1 with this comprehensive 2025 study guide. Access
practice questions, exam format details, clinical case scenarios, and proven strategies to help you
pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination on your first attempt
• NBDHE Exam Version 1
• NBDHE practice exam version 1
• National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
• NBDHE exam prep 2025
1. During swallowing, the hyoid bone moves downward. During swallowing, the larynx elevates.
a. Both statements are true
b. Both statements are false
c. The first statement is true, the second statement is false
d. The first statement is false, the second statement is true - ANSWER-d - false/ true
During swallowing, the hyoid bone moves upward as the larynx elevates. After moving upward, the hyoid
bone moves forward then returns to its starting position.
2. Which nervous system produces the fight-or-flight reaction?
a. Parasympathetic
b. Sympathetic
c. Peripheral
d. Central - ANSWER-b - The sympathetic nervous system releases norepinephrine to raise the heart rate
and elevate blood pressure, triggering the fight or flight reaction in a stressful situation.
,3. A patient is experiencing symptoms related to Bell's palsy. Which cranial nerve is suffering from a
motor deficit?
a. Facial
b. Trigeminal
c. Trochlear
d. Hypoglossal - ANSWER-a - Bell's palsy causes loss of movement to muscles due to lesions in the facial
nerve. This condition is bilateral and usually is only temporary, though it may take several weeks prior to
returning to normal use.
4. What is mobilized in and out of the blood during bone remodeling?
a. Canaliculi
b. Osteoclasts
c. Calcium
d. Osteoblasts - ANSWER-c - Calcium is mobilized in and out of the bloodstream during bone remodeling.
This allows new bone formation to occur in areas of the body where it is needed.
5. Which of the following cranial nerves pass through the foramen ovale of the sphenoid bone?
a. Trigeminal mandibular
b. Nasopalatine
c. Trigeminal maxillary
d. Abducent - ANSWER-a - The trigeminal mandibular nerve passes through the foramen ovale of the
sphenoid bone.
6. The maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve passes through the : .
a. foramen spinosum
b. superior orbital fissure
c. foramen ovale
d. foramen rotundum - ANSWER-d - The foramen rotundum is the opening that conveys the maxillary
branch of the trigeminal nerve.
,7. Which cranial nerve is the longest and extends to the trunk of the body?
a. Hypoglossal
b. Vagus
c. Facial
d. Trigeminal - ANSWER-b - The vagus nerve, or cranial nerve X is the longest of all cranial nerves. It
reaches areas of the head and neck as well as the heart and stomach.
58. Which cardiovascular disease is associated with periodontal disease, placing an emphasis on
improving oral health in an attempt to reduce the risk of disease?
a. Cerebrovascular disease
b. Hypertension
c. Congestive heart failure
d. Coronary artery atherosclerosis - ANSWER-d - Coronary artery atherosclerosis is associated with
periodontal disease. Decreasing periodontal disease symptoms through preventative and maintenance
care will reduce the patient's risk factors.
59. Local anesthetics containing vasoconstrictors should not be administered to asthma patients. It also
should not be used for patients that suffer from emphysema.
a. Both statements are true
b. Both statements are false
c. The first statement is true, the second statement is false
d. The first statement is false, the second statement is true - ANSWER-c - The first statement is true, the
second statement is false. Local anesthetics containing vasoconstrictors should not be given to asthma
patients because it may cause reduced oxygen flow in the body, but they may be administered to
patients with emphysema.
60. What type of seizure exhibits symptoms of jerking motions and no loss of consciousness?
a. Status epilepticus
b. Petit mal
c. Grand mal
, d. None of the above - ANSWER-b - Petit mal seizures are simple, with jerking motions and no loss of
consciousness. The patient is aware of their surroundings and is able to recount the episode without loss
of memory.
61. What disease exhibits itself in a classic "butterfly" pattern rash over the patient's face?
a. Phemphigus vulgaris
b. Hodgkin's lymphoma
c. Scleroderma
d. Lupus - ANSWER-d - Lupus is a chronic disease that displays a "butterfly" pattern over the patient's
face.
62. Wedge-shaped lesions along the cervical margin of the teeth are referred to as .
a. Erosion
b. Abrasion
c. Abfraction
d. Attrition - ANSWER-c - Abfractions are the wedge-shaped lesion along the cervical margin of the teeth,
usually due to fatigue or flexing of the tooth. The excess flexing causes enamel to chip off of the tooth in
this area, exposing the dentin.
63. A condition of the oral tissues due to hormonal changes during pregnancy is called ___________.
a. Pyogenic granuloma
b. Sialolith
c. Gingival hyperplasia
d. Inflammatory papillary hyperplasia - ANSWER-a - Pyogenic granulomas is a reactive tissue hyperplasia
related to hormonal changes, usually associated with pregnancy. This condition may also be called
"pregnancy tumors."
64. A discoloration of the oral mucosa that may have a radiopaque appearance.
a. Traumatic neuroma
b. Amalgam tattoo
c. Necrotizing sialometaplasia
Practice Questions, Exam Format & Proven Strategies to
Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
Prepare for the NBDHE Exam Version 1 with this comprehensive 2025 study guide. Access
practice questions, exam format details, clinical case scenarios, and proven strategies to help you
pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination on your first attempt
• NBDHE Exam Version 1
• NBDHE practice exam version 1
• National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
• NBDHE exam prep 2025
1. During swallowing, the hyoid bone moves downward. During swallowing, the larynx elevates.
a. Both statements are true
b. Both statements are false
c. The first statement is true, the second statement is false
d. The first statement is false, the second statement is true - ANSWER-d - false/ true
During swallowing, the hyoid bone moves upward as the larynx elevates. After moving upward, the hyoid
bone moves forward then returns to its starting position.
2. Which nervous system produces the fight-or-flight reaction?
a. Parasympathetic
b. Sympathetic
c. Peripheral
d. Central - ANSWER-b - The sympathetic nervous system releases norepinephrine to raise the heart rate
and elevate blood pressure, triggering the fight or flight reaction in a stressful situation.
,3. A patient is experiencing symptoms related to Bell's palsy. Which cranial nerve is suffering from a
motor deficit?
a. Facial
b. Trigeminal
c. Trochlear
d. Hypoglossal - ANSWER-a - Bell's palsy causes loss of movement to muscles due to lesions in the facial
nerve. This condition is bilateral and usually is only temporary, though it may take several weeks prior to
returning to normal use.
4. What is mobilized in and out of the blood during bone remodeling?
a. Canaliculi
b. Osteoclasts
c. Calcium
d. Osteoblasts - ANSWER-c - Calcium is mobilized in and out of the bloodstream during bone remodeling.
This allows new bone formation to occur in areas of the body where it is needed.
5. Which of the following cranial nerves pass through the foramen ovale of the sphenoid bone?
a. Trigeminal mandibular
b. Nasopalatine
c. Trigeminal maxillary
d. Abducent - ANSWER-a - The trigeminal mandibular nerve passes through the foramen ovale of the
sphenoid bone.
6. The maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve passes through the : .
a. foramen spinosum
b. superior orbital fissure
c. foramen ovale
d. foramen rotundum - ANSWER-d - The foramen rotundum is the opening that conveys the maxillary
branch of the trigeminal nerve.
,7. Which cranial nerve is the longest and extends to the trunk of the body?
a. Hypoglossal
b. Vagus
c. Facial
d. Trigeminal - ANSWER-b - The vagus nerve, or cranial nerve X is the longest of all cranial nerves. It
reaches areas of the head and neck as well as the heart and stomach.
58. Which cardiovascular disease is associated with periodontal disease, placing an emphasis on
improving oral health in an attempt to reduce the risk of disease?
a. Cerebrovascular disease
b. Hypertension
c. Congestive heart failure
d. Coronary artery atherosclerosis - ANSWER-d - Coronary artery atherosclerosis is associated with
periodontal disease. Decreasing periodontal disease symptoms through preventative and maintenance
care will reduce the patient's risk factors.
59. Local anesthetics containing vasoconstrictors should not be administered to asthma patients. It also
should not be used for patients that suffer from emphysema.
a. Both statements are true
b. Both statements are false
c. The first statement is true, the second statement is false
d. The first statement is false, the second statement is true - ANSWER-c - The first statement is true, the
second statement is false. Local anesthetics containing vasoconstrictors should not be given to asthma
patients because it may cause reduced oxygen flow in the body, but they may be administered to
patients with emphysema.
60. What type of seizure exhibits symptoms of jerking motions and no loss of consciousness?
a. Status epilepticus
b. Petit mal
c. Grand mal
, d. None of the above - ANSWER-b - Petit mal seizures are simple, with jerking motions and no loss of
consciousness. The patient is aware of their surroundings and is able to recount the episode without loss
of memory.
61. What disease exhibits itself in a classic "butterfly" pattern rash over the patient's face?
a. Phemphigus vulgaris
b. Hodgkin's lymphoma
c. Scleroderma
d. Lupus - ANSWER-d - Lupus is a chronic disease that displays a "butterfly" pattern over the patient's
face.
62. Wedge-shaped lesions along the cervical margin of the teeth are referred to as .
a. Erosion
b. Abrasion
c. Abfraction
d. Attrition - ANSWER-c - Abfractions are the wedge-shaped lesion along the cervical margin of the teeth,
usually due to fatigue or flexing of the tooth. The excess flexing causes enamel to chip off of the tooth in
this area, exposing the dentin.
63. A condition of the oral tissues due to hormonal changes during pregnancy is called ___________.
a. Pyogenic granuloma
b. Sialolith
c. Gingival hyperplasia
d. Inflammatory papillary hyperplasia - ANSWER-a - Pyogenic granulomas is a reactive tissue hyperplasia
related to hormonal changes, usually associated with pregnancy. This condition may also be called
"pregnancy tumors."
64. A discoloration of the oral mucosa that may have a radiopaque appearance.
a. Traumatic neuroma
b. Amalgam tattoo
c. Necrotizing sialometaplasia
