Free CRDTS Part IV Periodontal Simulated Patient Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the CRDTS Part IV Periodontal Simulated Patient Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1During a head and neck examination, a dentist follows the NIDCR guide's recommended sequence for palpating regional lymph node areas. Which region is assessed first?

   1. A. The anterior cervical region
   2. B. The preauricular region
   3. C. The submandibular region
   4. D. The posterior cervical region

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The NIDCR guide states that "A recommended order of examination includes the preauricular, submandibular, anterior cervical, posterior auricular, and posterior cervical regions." Preauricular is first in that recommended sequence.

   Reference: Detecting Oral Cancer: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals — Exam Review, I. The Extraoral Examination, Face

2. 2During an intraoral examination, which technique does the NIDCR protocol specify to draw out the tongue for inspection of its posterior lateral borders?

   1. A. Guide the lateral tongue outward with a mouth mirror
   2. B. Ask the patient to extend the tongue without support
   3. C. Hold the tongue tip with gauze and draw it forward
   4. D. Depress the posterior tongue with a mouth mirror

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The NIDCR guide says, "Grasping the tip of the tongue with a piece of gauze will assist full protrusion and will aid examination of the more posterior aspects of the tongue’s lateral borders." This technique exposes the requested borders.

   Reference: Detecting Oral Cancer: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals — Exam Review, II. Perioral and Intraoral Soft Tissue Examination, Tongue (Figure 10)

3. 3A dentist sees a white oral mucosal lesion that has not resolved. Under the NIDCR oral cancer guide, after what duration should an unresolved white or red lesion be reevaluated and considered for biopsy?

   1. A. One week
   2. B. Two weeks
   3. C. Three weeks
   4. D. Four weeks

   Answer: B

   Explanation: NIDCR states, "Any white or red lesion that does not resolve itself in 2 weeks should be reevaluated and considered for biopsy to obtain a definitive diagnosis." The question asks for that stated interval.

   Reference: Detecting Oral Cancer: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals — Warning Signs, Lesions that might signal oral cancer

4. 4A dentist examines an adult with a clinically evident oral mucosal lesion judged suspicious for a potentially malignant disorder. Which evaluation pathway does the ADA chairside guideline recommend?

   1. A. Periodically follow the lesion to determine whether further evaluation is needed
   2. B. Use a cytologic adjunct as the definitive evaluation of the lesion
   3. C. Perform a biopsy or provide immediate referral to a specialist
   4. D. Use autofluorescence as the definitive evaluation of the lesion

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The ADA guideline states, "The panel suggests that for adult patients with a clinically evident oral mucosal lesion considered to be suspicious of a potentially malignant or malignant disorder, or other symptoms‡, clinicians* should perform a biopsy of the lesion or provide immediate referral to a specialist§." This adult's lesion meets the suspicious-lesion condition.

   Reference: Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation of Potentially Malignant Disorders in the Oral Cavity: Chairside Guide — Expert Panel Recommendation, suspicious clinically evident oral mucosal lesion

5. 5On routine intraoral examination, a dentist sees several shallow and deep grooves on the dorsum of the tongue, including a prominent central groove. Which finding best identifies this appearance?

   1. A. Geographic tongue
   2. B. Atrophic glossitis
   3. C. Fissured tongue
   4. D. Hairy tongue

   Answer: C

   Explanation: AAOM defines the finding: "The term fissured tongue describes the finding of multiple small furrows or grooves on the dorsal (top) surface of the tongue." Multiple dorsal grooves support fissured tongue in this patient.

   Reference: Fissured Tongue — Fissured Tongue, opening description

6. 6A patient has a dorsal tongue coating with elongated papillae that give the surface a hair-like appearance. Which oral finding is most consistent with that examination?

   1. A. Fissured tongue
   2. B. Median rhomboid glossitis
   3. C. Atrophic glossitis
   4. D. Hairy tongue

   Answer: D

   Explanation: AAOM explains that in hairy tongue, "the length of these papillae can become quite long, giving a hair-like appearance to the top of the tongue." The described dorsal papillae therefore support hairy tongue.

   Reference: Hairy Tongue — Hairy Tongue, opening description

7. 7A dentist notes a smooth red patch with an irregular white border on the lateral and dorsal tongue. Which finding best fits this pattern?

   1. A. Median rhomboid glossitis
   2. B. Geographic tongue
   3. C. Fissured tongue
   4. D. Erythroplakia

   Answer: B

   Explanation: AAOM describes geographic tongue: "Typically, affected tongues have a bald, red area of varying sizes that is surrounded, at least in part, by an irregular white border". The patient's red patch with a white border matches this description.

   Reference: Geographic Tongue — Geographic Tongue, opening description

8. 8During a buccal mucosa examination, a dentist sees slightly raised, lacy white lines forming a web-like pattern. Which condition has this characteristic reticular appearance?

   1. A. Reticular oral lichen planus
   2. B. Pseudomembranous candidiasis
   3. C. Frictional keratosis
   4. D. Smokeless tobacco keratosis

   Answer: A

   Explanation: AAOM states that "The reticular pattern (see right) is commonly found on the cheeks as lacy web-like, white threads that are slightly raised." The buccal lacy pattern is the reticular form of oral lichen planus.

   Reference: Oral Lichen Planus — Appearance in the Mouth, reticular pattern

9. 9During an oral mucosal assessment, a dentist finds an unexplained patch that contains both red and white areas. Which clinical term describes this mixed-color finding?

   1. A. Leukoplakia
   2. B. Erythroplakia
   3. C. Erythroleukoplakia
   4. D. Linea alba

   Answer: C

   Explanation: AAOM explains that "mixed red and white areas termed erythroleukoplakia". The patch has both colors, so erythroleukoplakia is the matching description.

   Reference: Premalignant Oral Lesions — Which lesions might raise suspicion?

10. 10A dentist sees a narrow whitish line along the buccal mucosa where soft tissue presses against the teeth. Which finding best fits this appearance?

    1. A. Leukoedema
    2. B. Linea alba
    3. C. Leukoplakia
    4. D. Erythroleukoplakia

    Answer: B

    Explanation: AAOM states, "The whitish line is a common lesion that develops as a reaction to pressure of the soft tissue against the teeth. This readily identifiable lesion is termed linea alba (white line) and has no potential for cancer." The location and pressure pattern support linea alba.

    Reference: Premalignant Oral Lesions — Figure A, linea alba