GENERAL AND ORAL PATHOLOGY FOR
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral Pathologic Lesions
Question Stem
A 56-year-old smoker presents with a solitary, non-tender white
plaque on the lateral tongue that cannot be rubbed off. The
lesion has been present for 6 weeks. Which next step best
reflects appropriate diagnostic management?
A. Reassurance and observation for 6 months.
B. Prescribe topical antifungal and re-evaluate in 2 weeks.
C. Perform an excisional or incisional biopsy for histopathologic
evaluation.
D. Advise smoking cessation and apply topical corticosteroid.
,Correct Answer
C
Rationales
Correct: A persistent, homogenous or non-removable white
plaque on the lateral tongue in a smoker is suspicious for
dysplasia or carcinoma; biopsy is required to establish
diagnosis.
A: Observation for 6 months risks delayed diagnosis of dysplasia
or carcinoma.
B: Inability to be wiped off makes candidiasis unlikely; empiric
antifungal would be inappropriate without supportive signs.
D: Smoking cessation is important but does not substitute for
tissue diagnosis when malignancy is possible.
Teaching Point
Persistent white plaques that cannot be wiped off require
biopsy to rule out dysplasia/cancer.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral
Pathologic Lesions.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment and History
,Question Stem
During a new-patient history, a 32-year-old female reports easy
bruising and frequent nosebleeds. Which aspect of the history
most directly raises concern for a systemic bleeding disorder
that could impact oral care?
A. Family history of hypertension.
B. Use of herbal supplements and aspirin.
C. Prior history of seasonal allergies.
D. Daily intake of vitamin C tablets.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Herbal supplements and aspirin can impair platelet
function or coagulation and increase bleeding risk, which is
critical for dental procedures.
A: Hypertension is important medically but not directly
diagnostic for bleeding diathesis.
C: Seasonal allergies are unrelated to systemic bleeding
tendency.
D: Vitamin C excess rarely causes bleeding; deficiency—
scurvy—would, but she reports intake, not deficiency.
Teaching Point
Ask specifically about OTC drugs and supplements—many affect
hemostasis.
, Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment
and History.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Signs and Symptoms
Question Stem
A patient complains of a painful, shallow oral ulcer with an
erythematous halo on the buccal mucosa that appeared after a
stressful week and heals within 10 days. Which diagnosis is
most consistent with this presentation?
A. Traumatic ulcer from cheek biting.
B. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (minor aphthous).
C. Erythema multiforme.
D. Pemphigus vulgaris.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Recurrent aphthous ulcers are painful, shallow, have
erythematous halos, often follow stress, and heal within 1–2
weeks.
A: Traumatic ulcers may be solitary and adjacent to a source of
trauma; history typically reveals persistent local trauma.
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral Pathologic Lesions
Question Stem
A 56-year-old smoker presents with a solitary, non-tender white
plaque on the lateral tongue that cannot be rubbed off. The
lesion has been present for 6 weeks. Which next step best
reflects appropriate diagnostic management?
A. Reassurance and observation for 6 months.
B. Prescribe topical antifungal and re-evaluate in 2 weeks.
C. Perform an excisional or incisional biopsy for histopathologic
evaluation.
D. Advise smoking cessation and apply topical corticosteroid.
,Correct Answer
C
Rationales
Correct: A persistent, homogenous or non-removable white
plaque on the lateral tongue in a smoker is suspicious for
dysplasia or carcinoma; biopsy is required to establish
diagnosis.
A: Observation for 6 months risks delayed diagnosis of dysplasia
or carcinoma.
B: Inability to be wiped off makes candidiasis unlikely; empiric
antifungal would be inappropriate without supportive signs.
D: Smoking cessation is important but does not substitute for
tissue diagnosis when malignancy is possible.
Teaching Point
Persistent white plaques that cannot be wiped off require
biopsy to rule out dysplasia/cancer.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral
Pathologic Lesions.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment and History
,Question Stem
During a new-patient history, a 32-year-old female reports easy
bruising and frequent nosebleeds. Which aspect of the history
most directly raises concern for a systemic bleeding disorder
that could impact oral care?
A. Family history of hypertension.
B. Use of herbal supplements and aspirin.
C. Prior history of seasonal allergies.
D. Daily intake of vitamin C tablets.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Herbal supplements and aspirin can impair platelet
function or coagulation and increase bleeding risk, which is
critical for dental procedures.
A: Hypertension is important medically but not directly
diagnostic for bleeding diathesis.
C: Seasonal allergies are unrelated to systemic bleeding
tendency.
D: Vitamin C excess rarely causes bleeding; deficiency—
scurvy—would, but she reports intake, not deficiency.
Teaching Point
Ask specifically about OTC drugs and supplements—many affect
hemostasis.
, Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment
and History.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Signs and Symptoms
Question Stem
A patient complains of a painful, shallow oral ulcer with an
erythematous halo on the buccal mucosa that appeared after a
stressful week and heals within 10 days. Which diagnosis is
most consistent with this presentation?
A. Traumatic ulcer from cheek biting.
B. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (minor aphthous).
C. Erythema multiforme.
D. Pemphigus vulgaris.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Recurrent aphthous ulcers are painful, shallow, have
erythematous halos, often follow stress, and heal within 1–2
weeks.
A: Traumatic ulcers may be solitary and adjacent to a source of
trauma; history typically reveals persistent local trauma.
