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 48-year-old patient presents with a persistent, painless ulcer
on the lateral tongue that has not healed in 3 weeks. As a
dental hygienist performing an initial assessment, which action
best reflects the role of the oral and maxillofacial pathology
practice in managing this lesion?
A. Provide topical antimicrobial therapy and re-evaluate in 2
weeks.
B. Document the lesion, obtain a focused history, and refer for
biopsy and pathologic diagnosis.
C. Assume traumatic etiology and advise the patient to avoid
,chewing on that side.
D. Diagnose squamous cell carcinoma based on clinical
appearance and begin treatment planning.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): Oral and maxillofacial pathology emphasizes
documentation, focused history-taking, and timely referral
for biopsy when nonhealing ulcers persist, as definitive
diagnosis requires histopathology.
• Incorrect (A): Empiric topical antimicrobials without
establishing a diagnosis risks delaying necessary biopsy
and definitive care.
• Incorrect (C): Assuming trauma without systematic
assessment and histologic confirmation may miss
malignancy; counseling alone is insufficient.
• Incorrect (D): Clinicians should not make a definitive
cancer diagnosis clinically; histopathologic confirmation is
required before treatment planning.
Teaching Point
Nonhealing oral ulcers >2 weeks require documentation,
focused history, and biopsy 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 oral exam you note a 6 mm well-circumscribed,
dome-shaped submucosal nodule on the buccal mucosa that
blanches slightly on palpation and is fluctuant. Which next step
most effectively uses assessment principles to narrow the
differential?
A. Palpate regional lymph nodes and inquire about duration and
trauma history.
B. Schedule immediate excisional biopsy without further
questioning.
C. Prescribe antifungal therapy to rule out candidiasis.
D. Record as normal variance and ignore if asymptomatic.
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
• Correct (A): Proper lesion assessment includes palpation,
lymph node exam, and focused history (duration, trauma)
, to discriminate reactive lesions from cysts or salivary
mucoceles.
• Incorrect (B): Biopsy may be indicated but should follow an
informed differential and discussion — immediate excision
without assessment is premature.
• Incorrect (C): Antifungal therapy is irrelevant for a
submucosal fluctuant nodule; candidiasis presents
differently.
• Incorrect (D): A discrete submucosal nodule requires
assessment; dismissing could miss pathology.
Teaching Point
Combine palpation, lymph node exam, and focused history to
refine lesion differential.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral
Pathologic Lesions.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment and History
Question Stem
A 60-year-old male with hypertension presents for a recall
appointment. He reports recent unexplained weight loss and
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 48-year-old patient presents with a persistent, painless ulcer
on the lateral tongue that has not healed in 3 weeks. As a
dental hygienist performing an initial assessment, which action
best reflects the role of the oral and maxillofacial pathology
practice in managing this lesion?
A. Provide topical antimicrobial therapy and re-evaluate in 2
weeks.
B. Document the lesion, obtain a focused history, and refer for
biopsy and pathologic diagnosis.
C. Assume traumatic etiology and advise the patient to avoid
,chewing on that side.
D. Diagnose squamous cell carcinoma based on clinical
appearance and begin treatment planning.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): Oral and maxillofacial pathology emphasizes
documentation, focused history-taking, and timely referral
for biopsy when nonhealing ulcers persist, as definitive
diagnosis requires histopathology.
• Incorrect (A): Empiric topical antimicrobials without
establishing a diagnosis risks delaying necessary biopsy
and definitive care.
• Incorrect (C): Assuming trauma without systematic
assessment and histologic confirmation may miss
malignancy; counseling alone is insufficient.
• Incorrect (D): Clinicians should not make a definitive
cancer diagnosis clinically; histopathologic confirmation is
required before treatment planning.
Teaching Point
Nonhealing oral ulcers >2 weeks require documentation,
focused history, and biopsy 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 oral exam you note a 6 mm well-circumscribed,
dome-shaped submucosal nodule on the buccal mucosa that
blanches slightly on palpation and is fluctuant. Which next step
most effectively uses assessment principles to narrow the
differential?
A. Palpate regional lymph nodes and inquire about duration and
trauma history.
B. Schedule immediate excisional biopsy without further
questioning.
C. Prescribe antifungal therapy to rule out candidiasis.
D. Record as normal variance and ignore if asymptomatic.
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
• Correct (A): Proper lesion assessment includes palpation,
lymph node exam, and focused history (duration, trauma)
, to discriminate reactive lesions from cysts or salivary
mucoceles.
• Incorrect (B): Biopsy may be indicated but should follow an
informed differential and discussion — immediate excision
without assessment is premature.
• Incorrect (C): Antifungal therapy is irrelevant for a
submucosal fluctuant nodule; candidiasis presents
differently.
• Incorrect (D): A discrete submucosal nodule requires
assessment; dismissing could miss pathology.
Teaching Point
Combine palpation, lymph node exam, and focused history to
refine lesion differential.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral
Pathologic Lesions.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment and History
Question Stem
A 60-year-old male with hypertension presents for a recall
appointment. He reports recent unexplained weight loss and
