1|Page
ABDSM FINAL EXAM TEST 2026/2027 LATEST UPDATE
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED DETAILED
ANSWERS [MOST TESTED QUESTIONS] CERTIFIED STUDY
GUIDE
A 48 year old man is treated with OAT for his moderate OSA. On repeat
sleep testing, his apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) has decreased to 3
events per hour, and he reports resolution of snoring and daytime
sleepiness. What is the most reasonable dental-medical sleep medicine
follow up regimen for this patient?
A. As needed
B. Every 6 months for the first year, then annually
C. Monthly for the first 6 months, then every 6 months
D. Every other year ......ANSWER......B. Every 6 months for the first year,
then annually
Which of the following statements is true regarding a modified
mallampati classification of the oral pharynx?
A. Mallampati II allows visualization of only the hard palate
B. Malampati III allows visualization of only the hard palate
C. Malampati classifications are taken with the patient sedated and
reclined
pg. 1
,2|Page
D. Mallampati classifications of IV have greater odds ratio than
Mallampati classifications of I for severe OSA ......ANSWER......D.
Mallampati classifications of IV have greater odds ratio than Mallampati
classifications of I for severe OSA
What 8 item questionnaire was developed to perioperatively screen for
risk of OSA?
A. ESS
B. STOP-BANG
C. MSLT
D. Berlin ......ANSWER......B. STOP-BANG
In the pathophysiology of sleep apnea, airway patency and stability is
promoted by which factor?
A. Increased lung volume
B. Shorter mandible
C. Increased parapharyngeal fat deposition
D. Negative inspiratory pressure
E. Reduced pharyngeal muscle dilator activity ......ANSWER......A.
Increased lung volume
pg. 2
,3|Page
Oral appliance therapy commonly provides successful sole therapy for
which of the following sleep-related breathing disorders?
A. Primary central sleep apnea
B. Cheyne-Stoke periodic breathing
C. Obesity hypoventilation
D. Overlap syndrome (OSA and COPD)
E. None of the above ......ANSWER......E. None of the above
Which of the following is true about OSA and HTN?
A. Ambulatory BP is increased in OSA patients primarily due to
increased salt intake associated with elevated ghrelin levels
B. Ambulatory BP normally increases in the early AM before awakening
- this increase is blunted in OSA
C. Untreated OSA is associated with a similar risk of HTN at all severity
levels
D. The risk of HTN in untreated OSA is due to intermittent hypoxia,
sympathetic overactivation, inflammation, and other complex factors
......ANSWER......D. The risk of HTN in untreated OSA is due to
intermittent hypoxia, sympathetic overactivation, inflammation, and
other complex factors
Across a general population, what is the most common sleep disorder?
pg. 3
, 4|Page
A. RLS
B. Narcolepsy
C. Delayed sleep phase syndrome
D. Insomnia
E. Obstructive sleep apnea ......ANSWER......D. Insomnia
Measurement has shown that patients with sleep apnea have smaller
upper airways than those without sleep apnea but manage to keep an
open airway during wakefulness by:
A. Mouth Breathing
B. Increased muscle tone on inspiration
C. Increased blood flow to the soft tissue
D. Frequent bruxing ......ANSWER......B. Increased muscle tone on
inspiration
Key features of sleep apnea as recorded during an in-lab sleep study
include marked reduction or absence of air flow, arousals from sleep,
slowing of heart rate and:
A. Choking or gasping for air
B. Oxygen desaturation
pg. 4
ABDSM FINAL EXAM TEST 2026/2027 LATEST UPDATE
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED DETAILED
ANSWERS [MOST TESTED QUESTIONS] CERTIFIED STUDY
GUIDE
A 48 year old man is treated with OAT for his moderate OSA. On repeat
sleep testing, his apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) has decreased to 3
events per hour, and he reports resolution of snoring and daytime
sleepiness. What is the most reasonable dental-medical sleep medicine
follow up regimen for this patient?
A. As needed
B. Every 6 months for the first year, then annually
C. Monthly for the first 6 months, then every 6 months
D. Every other year ......ANSWER......B. Every 6 months for the first year,
then annually
Which of the following statements is true regarding a modified
mallampati classification of the oral pharynx?
A. Mallampati II allows visualization of only the hard palate
B. Malampati III allows visualization of only the hard palate
C. Malampati classifications are taken with the patient sedated and
reclined
pg. 1
,2|Page
D. Mallampati classifications of IV have greater odds ratio than
Mallampati classifications of I for severe OSA ......ANSWER......D.
Mallampati classifications of IV have greater odds ratio than Mallampati
classifications of I for severe OSA
What 8 item questionnaire was developed to perioperatively screen for
risk of OSA?
A. ESS
B. STOP-BANG
C. MSLT
D. Berlin ......ANSWER......B. STOP-BANG
In the pathophysiology of sleep apnea, airway patency and stability is
promoted by which factor?
A. Increased lung volume
B. Shorter mandible
C. Increased parapharyngeal fat deposition
D. Negative inspiratory pressure
E. Reduced pharyngeal muscle dilator activity ......ANSWER......A.
Increased lung volume
pg. 2
,3|Page
Oral appliance therapy commonly provides successful sole therapy for
which of the following sleep-related breathing disorders?
A. Primary central sleep apnea
B. Cheyne-Stoke periodic breathing
C. Obesity hypoventilation
D. Overlap syndrome (OSA and COPD)
E. None of the above ......ANSWER......E. None of the above
Which of the following is true about OSA and HTN?
A. Ambulatory BP is increased in OSA patients primarily due to
increased salt intake associated with elevated ghrelin levels
B. Ambulatory BP normally increases in the early AM before awakening
- this increase is blunted in OSA
C. Untreated OSA is associated with a similar risk of HTN at all severity
levels
D. The risk of HTN in untreated OSA is due to intermittent hypoxia,
sympathetic overactivation, inflammation, and other complex factors
......ANSWER......D. The risk of HTN in untreated OSA is due to
intermittent hypoxia, sympathetic overactivation, inflammation, and
other complex factors
Across a general population, what is the most common sleep disorder?
pg. 3
, 4|Page
A. RLS
B. Narcolepsy
C. Delayed sleep phase syndrome
D. Insomnia
E. Obstructive sleep apnea ......ANSWER......D. Insomnia
Measurement has shown that patients with sleep apnea have smaller
upper airways than those without sleep apnea but manage to keep an
open airway during wakefulness by:
A. Mouth Breathing
B. Increased muscle tone on inspiration
C. Increased blood flow to the soft tissue
D. Frequent bruxing ......ANSWER......B. Increased muscle tone on
inspiration
Key features of sleep apnea as recorded during an in-lab sleep study
include marked reduction or absence of air flow, arousals from sleep,
slowing of heart rate and:
A. Choking or gasping for air
B. Oxygen desaturation
pg. 4
