GENERAL AND ORAL PATHOLOGY FOR
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Overview of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Question Stem
A 58-year-old patient presents with a painless, slowly enlarging
firm mass on the lateral border of the tongue for 6 months.
Which principle of oral and maxillofacial pathology should guide
the clinician’s next step?
Options
A. Treat empirically with topical agents because slow growth
suggests benignity.
B. Obtain a focused history and perform tissue biopsy to
establish a definitive diagnosis.
C. Schedule periodic observation for 12 months before
,intervening.
D. Order systemic antibiotics because slow growth suggests
chronic infection.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): The practice of oral and maxillofacial
pathology emphasizes that tissue diagnosis (biopsy) is
necessary to determine the nature of a persistent mass,
even if slow growing, to rule out neoplasm.
• Incorrect (A): Empiric topical therapy is inappropriate
without diagnosis; some malignant lesions may be
indolent.
• Incorrect (C): Observation without diagnosis may delay
treatment of potentially serious conditions.
• Incorrect (D): Chronic infection is not the most likely cause
of a firm, persistent mass and antibiotics without diagnosis
are not indicated.
Teaching Point
Persistent oral masses require histologic diagnosis rather than
empirical treatment.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
,2️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral Pathologic Lesions
Question Stem
During an intraoral exam you note a 6-mm white lesion on the
buccal mucosa that wipes off with gauze, leaving raw
erythematous tissue. Which assessment feature best supports
the presumptive diagnosis?
Options
A. Size greater than 5 mm indicates high malignant potential.
B. Wipability suggests a diagnosis of surface debris or
pseudomembranous candidiasis.
C. White color alone confirms leukoplakia and requires excision.
D. Location on buccal mucosa rules out fungal infection.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): The ability to be wiped off indicates a
removable pseudomembrane or surface debris; candidiasis
often presents with plaques that can be removed to reveal
erythema.
• Incorrect (A): Size alone does not determine malignant
potential—appearance and persistence are more relevant.
, • Incorrect (C): Leukoplakia is a clinical white patch that
cannot be wiped off; confirmation requires exclusion of
other causes.
• Incorrect (D): Fungal infections can occur on buccal
mucosa; location does not exclude candidiasis.
Teaching Point
White lesions that wipe off usually represent removable
pseudomembranes (e.g., candidiasis or debris).
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
3️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment and History
Question Stem
A 45-year-old smoker reports a 3-week nonhealing ulcer on the
lateral tongue. Which historical detail most raises concern for
malignancy and should alter urgency of referral?
Options
A. Recent trauma from biting the tongue two days before lesion
onset.
B. Intermittent spicy food intake.
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Overview of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Question Stem
A 58-year-old patient presents with a painless, slowly enlarging
firm mass on the lateral border of the tongue for 6 months.
Which principle of oral and maxillofacial pathology should guide
the clinician’s next step?
Options
A. Treat empirically with topical agents because slow growth
suggests benignity.
B. Obtain a focused history and perform tissue biopsy to
establish a definitive diagnosis.
C. Schedule periodic observation for 12 months before
,intervening.
D. Order systemic antibiotics because slow growth suggests
chronic infection.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): The practice of oral and maxillofacial
pathology emphasizes that tissue diagnosis (biopsy) is
necessary to determine the nature of a persistent mass,
even if slow growing, to rule out neoplasm.
• Incorrect (A): Empiric topical therapy is inappropriate
without diagnosis; some malignant lesions may be
indolent.
• Incorrect (C): Observation without diagnosis may delay
treatment of potentially serious conditions.
• Incorrect (D): Chronic infection is not the most likely cause
of a firm, persistent mass and antibiotics without diagnosis
are not indicated.
Teaching Point
Persistent oral masses require histologic diagnosis rather than
empirical treatment.
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
,2️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral Pathologic Lesions
Question Stem
During an intraoral exam you note a 6-mm white lesion on the
buccal mucosa that wipes off with gauze, leaving raw
erythematous tissue. Which assessment feature best supports
the presumptive diagnosis?
Options
A. Size greater than 5 mm indicates high malignant potential.
B. Wipability suggests a diagnosis of surface debris or
pseudomembranous candidiasis.
C. White color alone confirms leukoplakia and requires excision.
D. Location on buccal mucosa rules out fungal infection.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): The ability to be wiped off indicates a
removable pseudomembrane or surface debris; candidiasis
often presents with plaques that can be removed to reveal
erythema.
• Incorrect (A): Size alone does not determine malignant
potential—appearance and persistence are more relevant.
, • Incorrect (C): Leukoplakia is a clinical white patch that
cannot be wiped off; confirmation requires exclusion of
other causes.
• Incorrect (D): Fungal infections can occur on buccal
mucosa; location does not exclude candidiasis.
Teaching Point
White lesions that wipe off usually represent removable
pseudomembranes (e.g., candidiasis or debris).
Citation
Myers, S., & Curran, A. (2023). General and Oral Pathology for
Dental Hygiene Practice (3rd Ed.). Ch. 1.
3️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Patient Assessment and History
Question Stem
A 45-year-old smoker reports a 3-week nonhealing ulcer on the
lateral tongue. Which historical detail most raises concern for
malignancy and should alter urgency of referral?
Options
A. Recent trauma from biting the tongue two days before lesion
onset.
B. Intermittent spicy food intake.
