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 48-year-old patient presents with a 1.2-cm,
raised, well-circumscribed lesion on the lateral tongue. It is
firm, nonfluctuant, and the mucosa overlying it is intact. Which
clinical descriptor best characterizes this lesion for the dental
record and differential diagnosis?
Options:
A. Pedunculated vesicle
B. Sessile palpable mass
C. Ulcerative macule
D. Fluctuant bulla
Correct Answer: B
,Rationales:
• Correct (B): A sessile palpable mass accurately describes a
broad-based, raised, nonfluctuant lesion with intact
mucosa and should guide biopsy and imaging decisions.
• A: Pedunculated implies a stalk-attached lesion, which is
inconsistent with a broad base.
• C: A macule is flat and nonpalpable, so cannot describe a
raised, firm lesion.
• D: A bulla is fluid-filled and fluctuant; this lesion is firm and
nonfluctuant.
Teaching Point: Use precise surface and base descriptors
(sessile vs pedunculated) for lesion characterization.
Citation: Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral
Pathology for Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment and History
Question Stem: A patient reports a recurrent lip lesion that
“tingles and then blisters” before crusting. Which historical
detail most strongly supports a diagnosis of recurrent herpes
labialis rather than aphthous stomatitis?
Options:
A. Episodes always occur on nonkeratinized mucosa
,B. Patient reports preceding prodrome of tingling (paresthesia)
C. Lesions heal without scarring after two weeks
D. Pain occurs only after lesion rupture
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): A prodrome of tingling or paresthesia is classic
for herpes simplex reactivation and helps differentiate it
from aphthous ulcers.
• A: Herpes commonly affects keratinized mucosa of the
vermilion border and attached gingiva; nonkeratinized
location favors aphthous.
• C: Both herpes and aphthous lesions can heal without
scarring; this is not discriminatory.
• D: Pain timing is nonspecific; both conditions can be
painful at various stages.
Teaching Point: Prodromal tingling favors herpes simplex
reactivation.
Citation: Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral
Pathology for Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Signs and Symptoms
, Question Stem: During an exam you note unilateral facial
swelling, decreased saliva flow from the adjacent Stensen duct,
and tenderness of the parotid region. Which combination of
signs most strongly suggests sialadenitis rather than a
neoplastic process?
Options:
A. Gradual, painless swelling and firm mass on palpation
B. Acute onset, tenderness, and decreased salivary flow
C. Nonmobile mass and paresthesia of the lower lip
D. Indurated mass with cervical lymphadenopathy and weight
loss
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Acute tenderness with decreased salivary flow
is typical of inflammatory sialadenitis (possible obstruction
or infection).
• A: Painless, slow swelling and firm mass are more
suggestive of a neoplasm.
• C: Nonmobility and sensory changes suggest malignancy
invading nerves, not sialadenitis.
• D: Systemic signs and induration raise concern for
malignancy or systemic disease rather than acute
inflammation.
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral Pathologic Lesions
Question Stem: A 48-year-old patient presents with a 1.2-cm,
raised, well-circumscribed lesion on the lateral tongue. It is
firm, nonfluctuant, and the mucosa overlying it is intact. Which
clinical descriptor best characterizes this lesion for the dental
record and differential diagnosis?
Options:
A. Pedunculated vesicle
B. Sessile palpable mass
C. Ulcerative macule
D. Fluctuant bulla
Correct Answer: B
,Rationales:
• Correct (B): A sessile palpable mass accurately describes a
broad-based, raised, nonfluctuant lesion with intact
mucosa and should guide biopsy and imaging decisions.
• A: Pedunculated implies a stalk-attached lesion, which is
inconsistent with a broad base.
• C: A macule is flat and nonpalpable, so cannot describe a
raised, firm lesion.
• D: A bulla is fluid-filled and fluctuant; this lesion is firm and
nonfluctuant.
Teaching Point: Use precise surface and base descriptors
(sessile vs pedunculated) for lesion characterization.
Citation: Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral
Pathology for Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment and History
Question Stem: A patient reports a recurrent lip lesion that
“tingles and then blisters” before crusting. Which historical
detail most strongly supports a diagnosis of recurrent herpes
labialis rather than aphthous stomatitis?
Options:
A. Episodes always occur on nonkeratinized mucosa
,B. Patient reports preceding prodrome of tingling (paresthesia)
C. Lesions heal without scarring after two weeks
D. Pain occurs only after lesion rupture
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): A prodrome of tingling or paresthesia is classic
for herpes simplex reactivation and helps differentiate it
from aphthous ulcers.
• A: Herpes commonly affects keratinized mucosa of the
vermilion border and attached gingiva; nonkeratinized
location favors aphthous.
• C: Both herpes and aphthous lesions can heal without
scarring; this is not discriminatory.
• D: Pain timing is nonspecific; both conditions can be
painful at various stages.
Teaching Point: Prodromal tingling favors herpes simplex
reactivation.
Citation: Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral
Pathology for Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Signs and Symptoms
, Question Stem: During an exam you note unilateral facial
swelling, decreased saliva flow from the adjacent Stensen duct,
and tenderness of the parotid region. Which combination of
signs most strongly suggests sialadenitis rather than a
neoplastic process?
Options:
A. Gradual, painless swelling and firm mass on palpation
B. Acute onset, tenderness, and decreased salivary flow
C. Nonmobile mass and paresthesia of the lower lip
D. Indurated mass with cervical lymphadenopathy and weight
loss
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Acute tenderness with decreased salivary flow
is typical of inflammatory sialadenitis (possible obstruction
or infection).
• A: Painless, slow swelling and firm mass are more
suggestive of a neoplasm.
• C: Nonmobility and sensory changes suggest malignancy
invading nerves, not sialadenitis.
• D: Systemic signs and induration raise concern for
malignancy or systemic disease rather than acute
inflammation.
