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 52-year-old patient presents with a 1.5 cm, firm, non-tender,
submucosal mass on the lateral tongue that has been present
for 6 months without change. Which next step best applies the
principles of lesion assessment described in the chapter?
Options
A. Reassure the patient as the lesion is likely a reactive
hyperplasia and schedule recall in 12 months.
B. Perform an excisional biopsy immediately because the lesion
is >1 cm and persistent.
C. Order panoramic radiography to evaluate possible osseous
,origin before any tissue diagnosis.
D. Apply topical antifungal therapy for 2 weeks and reassess.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): Persistent, firm, submucosal masses >1 cm
warrant tissue diagnosis; excisional biopsy is indicated
when removal is feasible and diagnosis is uncertain.
• Incorrect (A): Reassurance and long-term recall without
diagnosis risks missing neoplastic lesions; persistent lesions
need evaluation.
• Incorrect (C): Panoramic radiography may be useful for
bony lesions, but a soft-tissue mass of the tongue requires
tissue diagnosis first.
• Incorrect (D): Antifungal therapy is inappropriate without
clinical features of fungal infection and would delay
definitive diagnosis.
Teaching Point
Persistent, firm intraoral masses >1 cm usually require biopsy
for definitive diagnosis.
Citation (simplified APA)
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
During history-taking, a patient reports intermittent numbness
of the lower lip and recent loosening of a lower canine. How
should these findings influence your differential diagnosis?
Options
A. They suggest a primary mucosal infection limited to
superficial tissues.
B. They raise concern for an aggressive lesion involving neural
or osseous structures.
C. They are characteristic of benign mucoceles and require no
further workup.
D. They indicate an oral lichenoid reaction related to dental
materials.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): Paresthesia and tooth mobility suggest deeper
involvement — possibly neural invasion or bone
destruction — and prompt urgent evaluation.
• Incorrect (A): Superficial mucosal infections rarely cause
numbness or localized tooth mobility.
, • Incorrect (C): Mucoceles present as fluctuant mucosal
swellings, not paresthesia or tooth loosening.
• Incorrect (D): Lichenoid reactions typically cause mucosal
discoloration/ulceration without neural deficits or tooth
mobility.
Teaching Point
Paresthesia and localized tooth mobility suggest deeper,
potentially aggressive pathology.
Citation (simplified APA)
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
A patient presents with rapidly enlarging bilateral cervical
lymphadenopathy, fever, and painful ulcerated oral lesions.
According to the chapter, which diagnosis ranks highest on the
differential?
Options
A. Aphthous stomatitis (minor)
B. Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis
C. Oral lichen planus
D. Traumatic ulcer
DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE
AUTHOR(S)MYERS, SANDRA; CURRAN,
ALICE
TEST BANK
1
Reference – Ch. 1 — Assessment of Oral Pathologic Lesions
Question Stem
A 52-year-old patient presents with a 1.5 cm, firm, non-tender,
submucosal mass on the lateral tongue that has been present
for 6 months without change. Which next step best applies the
principles of lesion assessment described in the chapter?
Options
A. Reassure the patient as the lesion is likely a reactive
hyperplasia and schedule recall in 12 months.
B. Perform an excisional biopsy immediately because the lesion
is >1 cm and persistent.
C. Order panoramic radiography to evaluate possible osseous
,origin before any tissue diagnosis.
D. Apply topical antifungal therapy for 2 weeks and reassess.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): Persistent, firm, submucosal masses >1 cm
warrant tissue diagnosis; excisional biopsy is indicated
when removal is feasible and diagnosis is uncertain.
• Incorrect (A): Reassurance and long-term recall without
diagnosis risks missing neoplastic lesions; persistent lesions
need evaluation.
• Incorrect (C): Panoramic radiography may be useful for
bony lesions, but a soft-tissue mass of the tongue requires
tissue diagnosis first.
• Incorrect (D): Antifungal therapy is inappropriate without
clinical features of fungal infection and would delay
definitive diagnosis.
Teaching Point
Persistent, firm intraoral masses >1 cm usually require biopsy
for definitive diagnosis.
Citation (simplified APA)
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
During history-taking, a patient reports intermittent numbness
of the lower lip and recent loosening of a lower canine. How
should these findings influence your differential diagnosis?
Options
A. They suggest a primary mucosal infection limited to
superficial tissues.
B. They raise concern for an aggressive lesion involving neural
or osseous structures.
C. They are characteristic of benign mucoceles and require no
further workup.
D. They indicate an oral lichenoid reaction related to dental
materials.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): Paresthesia and tooth mobility suggest deeper
involvement — possibly neural invasion or bone
destruction — and prompt urgent evaluation.
• Incorrect (A): Superficial mucosal infections rarely cause
numbness or localized tooth mobility.
, • Incorrect (C): Mucoceles present as fluctuant mucosal
swellings, not paresthesia or tooth loosening.
• Incorrect (D): Lichenoid reactions typically cause mucosal
discoloration/ulceration without neural deficits or tooth
mobility.
Teaching Point
Paresthesia and localized tooth mobility suggest deeper,
potentially aggressive pathology.
Citation (simplified APA)
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
A patient presents with rapidly enlarging bilateral cervical
lymphadenopathy, fever, and painful ulcerated oral lesions.
According to the chapter, which diagnosis ranks highest on the
differential?
Options
A. Aphthous stomatitis (minor)
B. Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis
C. Oral lichen planus
D. Traumatic ulcer
