GENERAL AND ORAL PATHOLOGY FOR
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — The Practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Question Stem
A 62-year-old smoker presents with a 2.0-cm indurated ulcer on
the lateral tongue present for 6 weeks. As a dental hygienist,
which action best demonstrates appropriate use of oral and
maxillofacial pathology services?
Options
A. Reassure the patient and advise gentle oral rinses for two
more weeks.
B. Document the lesion and schedule a routine hygiene recall in
6 months.
C. Photograph, document size/characteristics, and refer
,promptly for scalpel biopsy.
D. Perform a brush biopsy in the clinic and resume routine care
if cytology is negative.
Correct Answer
C
Rationales
• Correct (C): An indurated, persistent ulcer in an older
smoker is suspicious for malignancy; timely
documentation, photo evidence, and referral for scalpel
biopsy is the standard of care per Myers & Curran.
• Incorrect (A): Reassurance and conservative rinses delay
diagnosis of a potentially malignant lesion.
• Incorrect (B): Waiting for routine recall is inappropriate for
a suspicious, persistent ulcer.
• Incorrect (D): Brush cytology may be adjunctive but is not
definitive; a negative cytology cannot rule out invasive
carcinoma, so definitive scalpel biopsy is required.
Teaching Point
Persistent, indurated ulcers in high-risk patients require prompt
biopsy and referral.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
,2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral Pathologic Lesions
Question Stem
During an exam you find a 6-mm white plaque on the buccal
mucosa that cannot be wiped off. Which feature most strongly
suggests that this is a benign hyperkeratotic lesion rather than
dysplasia or carcinoma?
Options
A. The plaque developed rapidly over 2 weeks and is ulcerated
centrally.
B. The lesion has well-defined borders, is asymptomatic, and
corresponds to an area of repeated cheek biting.
C. The lesion is indurated and fixed to underlying tissues.
D. The patient reports recent unexplained weight loss and night
sweats.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): A well-defined, asymptomatic white plaque at
a site of chronic trauma favors reactive hyperkeratosis
rather than neoplasia. Myers & Curran stress correlation of
clinical features with etiologic factors.
• Incorrect (A): Rapid development and ulceration are
concerning for malignancy or aggressive pathology.
, • Incorrect (C): Induration and fixation suggest invasive
disease.
• Incorrect (D): Systemic constitutional symptoms raise
concern for systemic illness or advanced malignancy, not a
benign traumatic lesion.
Teaching Point
Correlate lesion location and patient habits—trauma-related
lesions often have well-defined borders.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment and History
Question Stem
A patient reports a new oral lesion that appeared after starting
a new antihypertensive medication 4 weeks ago. Which history
detail most directly supports a medication-related oral mucosal
reaction?
Options
A. The lesion is located on the hard palate and is irregularly
pigmented.
B. The lesion coincided with the start of the drug and resolved
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — The Practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Question Stem
A 62-year-old smoker presents with a 2.0-cm indurated ulcer on
the lateral tongue present for 6 weeks. As a dental hygienist,
which action best demonstrates appropriate use of oral and
maxillofacial pathology services?
Options
A. Reassure the patient and advise gentle oral rinses for two
more weeks.
B. Document the lesion and schedule a routine hygiene recall in
6 months.
C. Photograph, document size/characteristics, and refer
,promptly for scalpel biopsy.
D. Perform a brush biopsy in the clinic and resume routine care
if cytology is negative.
Correct Answer
C
Rationales
• Correct (C): An indurated, persistent ulcer in an older
smoker is suspicious for malignancy; timely
documentation, photo evidence, and referral for scalpel
biopsy is the standard of care per Myers & Curran.
• Incorrect (A): Reassurance and conservative rinses delay
diagnosis of a potentially malignant lesion.
• Incorrect (B): Waiting for routine recall is inappropriate for
a suspicious, persistent ulcer.
• Incorrect (D): Brush cytology may be adjunctive but is not
definitive; a negative cytology cannot rule out invasive
carcinoma, so definitive scalpel biopsy is required.
Teaching Point
Persistent, indurated ulcers in high-risk patients require prompt
biopsy and referral.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
,2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral Pathologic Lesions
Question Stem
During an exam you find a 6-mm white plaque on the buccal
mucosa that cannot be wiped off. Which feature most strongly
suggests that this is a benign hyperkeratotic lesion rather than
dysplasia or carcinoma?
Options
A. The plaque developed rapidly over 2 weeks and is ulcerated
centrally.
B. The lesion has well-defined borders, is asymptomatic, and
corresponds to an area of repeated cheek biting.
C. The lesion is indurated and fixed to underlying tissues.
D. The patient reports recent unexplained weight loss and night
sweats.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): A well-defined, asymptomatic white plaque at
a site of chronic trauma favors reactive hyperkeratosis
rather than neoplasia. Myers & Curran stress correlation of
clinical features with etiologic factors.
• Incorrect (A): Rapid development and ulceration are
concerning for malignancy or aggressive pathology.
, • Incorrect (C): Induration and fixation suggest invasive
disease.
• Incorrect (D): Systemic constitutional symptoms raise
concern for systemic illness or advanced malignancy, not a
benign traumatic lesion.
Teaching Point
Correlate lesion location and patient habits—trauma-related
lesions often have well-defined borders.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment and History
Question Stem
A patient reports a new oral lesion that appeared after starting
a new antihypertensive medication 4 weeks ago. Which history
detail most directly supports a medication-related oral mucosal
reaction?
Options
A. The lesion is located on the hard palate and is irregularly
pigmented.
B. The lesion coincided with the start of the drug and resolved
