HESI DENTAL HYGIENE CASE-BASED PRACTICE TEST
questions with verified answers
The attached gingiva presents with a dark, pigmented appearance. Which is the
most likely reason for this pigmentation?
A. Systemic disease
B. Varicosities
C. Subgingival calculus
D. Physiologic melanin Ans✓✓ -D. Physiologic melanin
- physiologic melanin pigmentation is the most likely reason for the coloring on
this patient's attached gingiva
- varicosities, most commonly found on the tongue, are due to thick-walled blood
vessels
- systemic diseases such as HIV or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome can produce
pigmented areas
- the presence of subgingival calculus can cause the free gingiva to appear
discolored
The best oral physiotherapy aid to recommend for the pt to help clean between
#8 and #9 is the
A. Tufted brush
B. Toothpick holder
C. Interdental brush
D. Wedge stimulator Ans✓✓ -C. Interdental brush
,- the best oral physiotherapy aid to recommend to clean the wide embrasure
space as evidenced by the diastema between teeth 8 and 9 is an interdental brush
- the other choices do not correctly define the statement
Which restorative material is visible on the radiographs?
A. Composite
B. Amalgam
C. None
D. Sealant Ans✓✓ -B. Amalgam
- amalgam appears radiopaque on images and may be seen in a variety of shapes
and sizes
- amalgam restorations are visible on two maxillary molars
- neither sealants nor composites are visible on the bitewing radiographs
Which describes the mandibular gingival tissue?
A. Melanin pigmentation
B. Basal cell carcinoma
C. Lingual varicosities
D. Leukoedema Ans✓✓ -A. Melanin pigmentation
- melanin is the pigment that gives color to the skin, mucosa, and gingiva
,- leukoedema is not visible in this area
- lingual varicosities are found beneath the tongue
- basal cell carcinoma is not found on the mandibular gingiva
Why does #1 appear longer than #2 and #3?
A. Weakened periodontal ligament
B. Bone loss caused tooth to drift
C. No opposing tooth in mandibular arch
D. Tooth is macrodont Ans✓✓ -C. No opposing tooth in mandibular arch
- extrusion of a tooth may occur when there is no occlusion of a tooth in the
opposing arch
- tooth #1 is not a macrodont
- the periodontal ligament and bone loss would not cause extrusion
Which finding best explains the widening space between #8 and #9?
A. Tight labial frenum
B. Physiologic drift
C. Pathologic migration
D. Tongue thrust Ans✓✓ -C. Pathologic migration
- the decreased support of the periodontium results in a pathologic migration of
the dentition
, - while tongue thrust may contribute to pathologic migration, a periodontal
infection is the most likely cause
- physiologic drift in a mesial, not distal, direction
- a tight labial frenum may have initiated the diastema, but is not responsible for
its increase
A dark halo surrounds the restoration on #3 revealing a deteriorating margin.
Which phenomenon is responsible?
A. Corrosion
B. Wear
C. Tarnish
D. Creep Ans✓✓ -A. Corrosion
- the corrosion of amalgam manifests clinically as a dark staining in the adjacent
enamel
- wear, creep, and tarnish do not account for the changing color of the enamel
Which nerve block injection is necessary to extract #17?
A. PSA
B. M
C. GP
D. IANB Ans✓✓ -D. IANB
questions with verified answers
The attached gingiva presents with a dark, pigmented appearance. Which is the
most likely reason for this pigmentation?
A. Systemic disease
B. Varicosities
C. Subgingival calculus
D. Physiologic melanin Ans✓✓ -D. Physiologic melanin
- physiologic melanin pigmentation is the most likely reason for the coloring on
this patient's attached gingiva
- varicosities, most commonly found on the tongue, are due to thick-walled blood
vessels
- systemic diseases such as HIV or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome can produce
pigmented areas
- the presence of subgingival calculus can cause the free gingiva to appear
discolored
The best oral physiotherapy aid to recommend for the pt to help clean between
#8 and #9 is the
A. Tufted brush
B. Toothpick holder
C. Interdental brush
D. Wedge stimulator Ans✓✓ -C. Interdental brush
,- the best oral physiotherapy aid to recommend to clean the wide embrasure
space as evidenced by the diastema between teeth 8 and 9 is an interdental brush
- the other choices do not correctly define the statement
Which restorative material is visible on the radiographs?
A. Composite
B. Amalgam
C. None
D. Sealant Ans✓✓ -B. Amalgam
- amalgam appears radiopaque on images and may be seen in a variety of shapes
and sizes
- amalgam restorations are visible on two maxillary molars
- neither sealants nor composites are visible on the bitewing radiographs
Which describes the mandibular gingival tissue?
A. Melanin pigmentation
B. Basal cell carcinoma
C. Lingual varicosities
D. Leukoedema Ans✓✓ -A. Melanin pigmentation
- melanin is the pigment that gives color to the skin, mucosa, and gingiva
,- leukoedema is not visible in this area
- lingual varicosities are found beneath the tongue
- basal cell carcinoma is not found on the mandibular gingiva
Why does #1 appear longer than #2 and #3?
A. Weakened periodontal ligament
B. Bone loss caused tooth to drift
C. No opposing tooth in mandibular arch
D. Tooth is macrodont Ans✓✓ -C. No opposing tooth in mandibular arch
- extrusion of a tooth may occur when there is no occlusion of a tooth in the
opposing arch
- tooth #1 is not a macrodont
- the periodontal ligament and bone loss would not cause extrusion
Which finding best explains the widening space between #8 and #9?
A. Tight labial frenum
B. Physiologic drift
C. Pathologic migration
D. Tongue thrust Ans✓✓ -C. Pathologic migration
- the decreased support of the periodontium results in a pathologic migration of
the dentition
, - while tongue thrust may contribute to pathologic migration, a periodontal
infection is the most likely cause
- physiologic drift in a mesial, not distal, direction
- a tight labial frenum may have initiated the diastema, but is not responsible for
its increase
A dark halo surrounds the restoration on #3 revealing a deteriorating margin.
Which phenomenon is responsible?
A. Corrosion
B. Wear
C. Tarnish
D. Creep Ans✓✓ -A. Corrosion
- the corrosion of amalgam manifests clinically as a dark staining in the adjacent
enamel
- wear, creep, and tarnish do not account for the changing color of the enamel
Which nerve block injection is necessary to extract #17?
A. PSA
B. M
C. GP
D. IANB Ans✓✓ -D. IANB
