GENERAL AND ORAL PATHOLOGY FOR
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — OVERVIEW OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL PATHOLOGY
Question Stem
A 52-year-old patient presents with a painless, slowly enlarging
firm mass of the posterior mandible discovered on routine
radiograph. Which description best supports an origin in the
oral and maxillofacial pathology domain rather than a purely
dental (odontogenic) lesion?
A. Lesion follows the outline of a tooth root and is periapical.
B. Lesion displays bone expansion and cortical thinning beyond
a single tooth site.
C. Lesion is confined to the periodontal ligament space.
,D. Lesion appears as a radiolucency limited to the crown of an
unerupted tooth.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• B (Correct): Bone expansion and cortical thinning beyond a
tooth site suggest a nonodontogenic or larger maxillofacial
process, a hallmark of oral/maxillofacial pathology
assessment.
• A: Periapical lesions that follow tooth roots are typically
odontogenic and managed within dental endodontic
scope.
• C: Lesions confined to the periodontal ligament are usually
periodontal/odontogenic in origin, not broader
maxillofacial pathology.
• D: Radiolucency limited to an unerupted tooth crown
suggests a dentigerous cyst or tooth-related pathology, not
a separate maxillofacial mass.
Teaching Point
Maxillofacial pathology often shows bone expansion and
cortical changes beyond a single tooth.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
,2
Reference
Ch. 1 — The Practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Question Stem
A dental hygienist suspects an unusual mucosal lesion that may
require histopathologic confirmation. Which action best aligns
with the practice responsibilities described for oral and
maxillofacial pathology?
A. Prescribe topical antifungal treatment empirically.
B. Record clinical findings and refer for biopsy and pathologist
evaluation.
C. Diagnose the lesion and provide definitive surgical removal.
D. Radiograph the area and schedule a recall in six months.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• B (Correct): The practice of oral/maxillofacial pathology
includes recognizing lesions and referring for biopsy and
histopathologic diagnosis when necessary.
• A: Empiric treatment without diagnosis can delay
appropriate management; antifungal therapy is only
appropriate with strong clinical suspicion.
, • C: Definitive surgical removal and diagnosis are beyond the
hygienist's scope; referral is required.
• D: Observation without biopsy may be inappropriate if
malignancy or uncertain pathology is suspected.
Teaching Point
Refer suspicious lesions for biopsy and histopathologic
evaluation promptly.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral Pathologic Lesions
Question Stem
During intraoral exam, you note a 1.2 cm well-demarcated,
nonblanching purple macule on the lateral tongue in a patient
on anticoagulant therapy. What is the most appropriate next
step in assessment?
A. Record size, color, and history of onset; consider traumatic or
hemorrhagic etiology linked to anticoagulants.
B. Immediately refer for excisional biopsy without further
documentation.
C. Diagnose Kaposi sarcoma based on color and refer for
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — OVERVIEW OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL PATHOLOGY
Question Stem
A 52-year-old patient presents with a painless, slowly enlarging
firm mass of the posterior mandible discovered on routine
radiograph. Which description best supports an origin in the
oral and maxillofacial pathology domain rather than a purely
dental (odontogenic) lesion?
A. Lesion follows the outline of a tooth root and is periapical.
B. Lesion displays bone expansion and cortical thinning beyond
a single tooth site.
C. Lesion is confined to the periodontal ligament space.
,D. Lesion appears as a radiolucency limited to the crown of an
unerupted tooth.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• B (Correct): Bone expansion and cortical thinning beyond a
tooth site suggest a nonodontogenic or larger maxillofacial
process, a hallmark of oral/maxillofacial pathology
assessment.
• A: Periapical lesions that follow tooth roots are typically
odontogenic and managed within dental endodontic
scope.
• C: Lesions confined to the periodontal ligament are usually
periodontal/odontogenic in origin, not broader
maxillofacial pathology.
• D: Radiolucency limited to an unerupted tooth crown
suggests a dentigerous cyst or tooth-related pathology, not
a separate maxillofacial mass.
Teaching Point
Maxillofacial pathology often shows bone expansion and
cortical changes beyond a single tooth.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
,2
Reference
Ch. 1 — The Practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Question Stem
A dental hygienist suspects an unusual mucosal lesion that may
require histopathologic confirmation. Which action best aligns
with the practice responsibilities described for oral and
maxillofacial pathology?
A. Prescribe topical antifungal treatment empirically.
B. Record clinical findings and refer for biopsy and pathologist
evaluation.
C. Diagnose the lesion and provide definitive surgical removal.
D. Radiograph the area and schedule a recall in six months.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• B (Correct): The practice of oral/maxillofacial pathology
includes recognizing lesions and referring for biopsy and
histopathologic diagnosis when necessary.
• A: Empiric treatment without diagnosis can delay
appropriate management; antifungal therapy is only
appropriate with strong clinical suspicion.
, • C: Definitive surgical removal and diagnosis are beyond the
hygienist's scope; referral is required.
• D: Observation without biopsy may be inappropriate if
malignancy or uncertain pathology is suspected.
Teaching Point
Refer suspicious lesions for biopsy and histopathologic
evaluation promptly.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral Pathologic Lesions
Question Stem
During intraoral exam, you note a 1.2 cm well-demarcated,
nonblanching purple macule on the lateral tongue in a patient
on anticoagulant therapy. What is the most appropriate next
step in assessment?
A. Record size, color, and history of onset; consider traumatic or
hemorrhagic etiology linked to anticoagulants.
B. Immediately refer for excisional biopsy without further
documentation.
C. Diagnose Kaposi sarcoma based on color and refer for
