GENERAL AND ORAL PATHOLOGY FOR
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1️⃣ Reference
Ch. 1️ — The Practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Question Stem
A 62-year-old man presents with a 3-month history of an
asymptomatic, slowly enlarging white lesion on the lateral
tongue. As the dental hygienist screening new patients, which
next step best reflects the role of oral and maxillofacial
pathology in management?
Options
A. Reassure the patient and schedule routine six-month hygiene
visits.
B. Document the lesion, obtain a focused history, and refer for
biopsy and histopathologic evaluation.
C. Prescribe a topical antifungal and reassess in two weeks.
,D. Immediately perform an excisional biopsy in the dental
hygiene clinic.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Oral and maxillofacial pathology emphasizes proper
identification, documentation, targeted history-taking, and
referral for definitive diagnosis (biopsy and histopathology)
when lesions are suspicious or persistent.
A: Reassurance alone risks delaying diagnosis of potentially
premalignant or malignant lesions.
C: Empiric antifungal therapy is appropriate only if candidiasis is
strongly suspected; a lateral tongue white lesion persisting 3
months needs definitive evaluation.
D: Dental hygienists should not perform surgical excisions;
definitive biopsies require appropriate clinical setting and
clinician trained in surgical biopsy.
Teaching Point
Document, gather focused history, and refer suspicious
persistent lesions for biopsy.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1️.
,2⃣ Reference
Ch. 1️ — Assessment of Oral Pathologic Lesions
Question Stem
During an oral exam you find a 1️.0-cm well-demarcated red
lesion on the buccal mucosa that blanches when pressed with a
glass slide. Which interpretation best guides your next
diagnostic thinking?
Options
A. The lesion is likely keratosis and requires scalpel biopsy.
B. Blanching suggests a vascular lesion; further evaluation for
vascular nature is needed before biopsy.
C. Blanching indicates a mucosal infection requiring immediate
systemic antibiotics.
D. The lesion is most consistent with lichen planus and requires
topical steroid therapy.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Blanching with pressure (diascopy) indicates a vascular
component; recognizing vascular lesions is critical because
biopsy may cause bleeding and referral or special precautions
may be needed.
A: Keratotic lesions do not blanch; scalpel biopsy may be
appropriate for keratosis but not before assessing vascular
nature.
C: Blanching does not indicate infection; antibiotics are not
, indicated based on blanching alone.
D: Lichen planus typically shows reticular white striations rather
than blanchable erythema.
Teaching Point
Diascopy (pressure) helps identify vascular lesions; avoid blind
biopsy without evaluation.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1️.
3⃣ Reference
Ch. 1️ — Patient Assessment and History
Question Stem
A 28-year-old woman reports intermittent oral burning and a
change in taste after starting a new medication two months
ago. Which element of the history is most important to link to
possible oral mucosal adverse effects?
Options
A. Frequency of tooth brushing.
B. Recent changes in prescription or over-the-counter
medications.
C. Family history of oral cancer.
D. Childhood history of tonsillectomy.
Correct Answer
B
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1️⃣ Reference
Ch. 1️ — The Practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Question Stem
A 62-year-old man presents with a 3-month history of an
asymptomatic, slowly enlarging white lesion on the lateral
tongue. As the dental hygienist screening new patients, which
next step best reflects the role of oral and maxillofacial
pathology in management?
Options
A. Reassure the patient and schedule routine six-month hygiene
visits.
B. Document the lesion, obtain a focused history, and refer for
biopsy and histopathologic evaluation.
C. Prescribe a topical antifungal and reassess in two weeks.
,D. Immediately perform an excisional biopsy in the dental
hygiene clinic.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Oral and maxillofacial pathology emphasizes proper
identification, documentation, targeted history-taking, and
referral for definitive diagnosis (biopsy and histopathology)
when lesions are suspicious or persistent.
A: Reassurance alone risks delaying diagnosis of potentially
premalignant or malignant lesions.
C: Empiric antifungal therapy is appropriate only if candidiasis is
strongly suspected; a lateral tongue white lesion persisting 3
months needs definitive evaluation.
D: Dental hygienists should not perform surgical excisions;
definitive biopsies require appropriate clinical setting and
clinician trained in surgical biopsy.
Teaching Point
Document, gather focused history, and refer suspicious
persistent lesions for biopsy.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1️.
,2⃣ Reference
Ch. 1️ — Assessment of Oral Pathologic Lesions
Question Stem
During an oral exam you find a 1️.0-cm well-demarcated red
lesion on the buccal mucosa that blanches when pressed with a
glass slide. Which interpretation best guides your next
diagnostic thinking?
Options
A. The lesion is likely keratosis and requires scalpel biopsy.
B. Blanching suggests a vascular lesion; further evaluation for
vascular nature is needed before biopsy.
C. Blanching indicates a mucosal infection requiring immediate
systemic antibiotics.
D. The lesion is most consistent with lichen planus and requires
topical steroid therapy.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Blanching with pressure (diascopy) indicates a vascular
component; recognizing vascular lesions is critical because
biopsy may cause bleeding and referral or special precautions
may be needed.
A: Keratotic lesions do not blanch; scalpel biopsy may be
appropriate for keratosis but not before assessing vascular
nature.
C: Blanching does not indicate infection; antibiotics are not
, indicated based on blanching alone.
D: Lichen planus typically shows reticular white striations rather
than blanchable erythema.
Teaching Point
Diascopy (pressure) helps identify vascular lesions; avoid blind
biopsy without evaluation.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1️.
3⃣ Reference
Ch. 1️ — Patient Assessment and History
Question Stem
A 28-year-old woman reports intermittent oral burning and a
change in taste after starting a new medication two months
ago. Which element of the history is most important to link to
possible oral mucosal adverse effects?
Options
A. Frequency of tooth brushing.
B. Recent changes in prescription or over-the-counter
medications.
C. Family history of oral cancer.
D. Childhood history of tonsillectomy.
Correct Answer
B
