GENERAL AND ORAL PATHOLOGY FOR
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment and History
Question Stem
A 52-year-old patient reports a 3-month history of a persistent
oral ulcer that does not heal. Which history detail most strongly
suggests the lesion warrants an urgent biopsy rather than
conservative follow-up?
Options
A. Recent onset of mild tenderness at the site.
B. History of recurrent aphthous ulcers in adolescence.
C. A 30-pack-year smoking history and recent weight loss.
D. Daily use of a new toothpaste.
,Correct Answer
C
Rationales
• Correct (C): A significant tobacco history combined with
unexplained weight loss raises suspicion for malignancy;
biopsy is indicated.
• A (incorrect): Mild tenderness alone is nonspecific and
may be seen in benign ulcers; not the strongest indicator
for immediate biopsy.
• B (incorrect): Past recurrent aphthous ulcers suggests a
benign pattern but does not explain a persistent,
nonhealing single ulcer.
• D (incorrect): New toothpaste could cause contact
stomatitis but would more likely resolve with removal;
systemic signs are absent.
Teaching Point
Nonhealing ulcers with tobacco use and weight loss require
prompt biopsy.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
2️⃣
,Reference
Ch. 1 — Signs and Symptoms
Question Stem
During an exam you note unilateral facial paresthesia and a firm
indurated mass in the posterior mandible of an older adult.
What is the most important interpretation of these findings?
Options
A. They suggest an infectious tooth abscess only.
B. They are characteristic of benign mucoceles.
C. They raise concern for invasive neoplasm affecting neural
tissue.
D. They indicate temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Correct Answer
C
Rationales
• Correct (C): Paresthesia plus a firm mandibular mass
suggests invasion or compression of neural structures by a
lesion, consistent with a malignancy.
• A (incorrect): An abscess may cause swelling and pain but
typically produces fluctuance and signs of infection, not
persistent paresthesia with induration.
• B (incorrect): Mucoceles are soft, fluctuant mucosal
lesions, usually not firm or associated with paresthesia.
, • D (incorrect): TMJ dysfunction causes joint-related pain or
clicking, not focal intraosseous induration with
paresthesia.
Teaching Point
Paresthesia with a firm intraosseous mass suggests possible
malignancy.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
3️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Head, Neck, and Intraoral Neck Examinations
Question Stem
A patient presents with a 2 cm mobile, tender submandibular
lymph node after a sore throat that resolved a week ago. Which
management step is most appropriate now?
Options
A. Immediate referral for excisional biopsy.
B. Reassurance and observation for 2–3 weeks.
C. Immediate CT scan of the neck.
D. Start systemic corticosteroids.
Correct Answer
B
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment and History
Question Stem
A 52-year-old patient reports a 3-month history of a persistent
oral ulcer that does not heal. Which history detail most strongly
suggests the lesion warrants an urgent biopsy rather than
conservative follow-up?
Options
A. Recent onset of mild tenderness at the site.
B. History of recurrent aphthous ulcers in adolescence.
C. A 30-pack-year smoking history and recent weight loss.
D. Daily use of a new toothpaste.
,Correct Answer
C
Rationales
• Correct (C): A significant tobacco history combined with
unexplained weight loss raises suspicion for malignancy;
biopsy is indicated.
• A (incorrect): Mild tenderness alone is nonspecific and
may be seen in benign ulcers; not the strongest indicator
for immediate biopsy.
• B (incorrect): Past recurrent aphthous ulcers suggests a
benign pattern but does not explain a persistent,
nonhealing single ulcer.
• D (incorrect): New toothpaste could cause contact
stomatitis but would more likely resolve with removal;
systemic signs are absent.
Teaching Point
Nonhealing ulcers with tobacco use and weight loss require
prompt biopsy.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
2️⃣
,Reference
Ch. 1 — Signs and Symptoms
Question Stem
During an exam you note unilateral facial paresthesia and a firm
indurated mass in the posterior mandible of an older adult.
What is the most important interpretation of these findings?
Options
A. They suggest an infectious tooth abscess only.
B. They are characteristic of benign mucoceles.
C. They raise concern for invasive neoplasm affecting neural
tissue.
D. They indicate temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Correct Answer
C
Rationales
• Correct (C): Paresthesia plus a firm mandibular mass
suggests invasion or compression of neural structures by a
lesion, consistent with a malignancy.
• A (incorrect): An abscess may cause swelling and pain but
typically produces fluctuance and signs of infection, not
persistent paresthesia with induration.
• B (incorrect): Mucoceles are soft, fluctuant mucosal
lesions, usually not firm or associated with paresthesia.
, • D (incorrect): TMJ dysfunction causes joint-related pain or
clicking, not focal intraosseous induration with
paresthesia.
Teaching Point
Paresthesia with a firm intraosseous mass suggests possible
malignancy.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
3️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Head, Neck, and Intraoral Neck Examinations
Question Stem
A patient presents with a 2 cm mobile, tender submandibular
lymph node after a sore throat that resolved a week ago. Which
management step is most appropriate now?
Options
A. Immediate referral for excisional biopsy.
B. Reassurance and observation for 2–3 weeks.
C. Immediate CT scan of the neck.
D. Start systemic corticosteroids.
Correct Answer
B
