Health Assessment

Which of the following pairs of sinuses is absent at birth, is fairly well developed between 7 and 8 years of age, and is fully developed after puberty?
A) Maxillary
B) Sphenoid
C) Frontal
D) Ethmoid

Mr. Winchett is a 48-year-old gentleman who comes to your office with complaints of sores on his tongue. As the health care provider, you know that the tongue’s mass of striated muscle, which is in a crosswise pattern, is used to:
A) increase the surface area for optimal taste sensation.
B) change the shape and position of the tongue.
C) prevent food from entering the respiratory passages.
D) control the ability to swallow.

In addition to initiating digestion of food, saliva also:
A) protects the mucosa from caustic substances.
B) cleans and protects the mucosa.
C) inhibits overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth.
D) augments taste sensation.

Deciduous teeth in children are also known as:
A) bicuspids.
B) temporary.
C) transient.
D) odontoid.

Mrs. Coleman is a 28-year-old patient who is in her second trimester of pregnancy. She comes to the clinic with complaints of stuffiness and epistaxis. This is due to:
A) hyperemia and swelling of the sinuses due to increased vascular pressure.
B) increased susceptibility to allergies due to a pregnancy-induced immune system hyperactivity.
C) increased vascularity of the upper respiratory tract.
D) hypertrophy of the nasal mucosa due to a pregnancy-induced release of growth hormone.

A cleft palate and lip are least common in which of the following ethnic/cultural groups?
A) Native Americans
B) Mexican Americans
C) African Americans
D) Asians/Pacific Islanders

Ms. Tova is a 32-year-old patient who comes to your office with complaints of seasonal allergies. Which of the following questions would you ask to determine if she is experiencing epistaxis?
A) "Do you experience a runny nose frequently?"
B) "Do you experience nose bleeds?"
C) "Do you have any difficulty with swallowing?"
D) "Have you ever noticed any unusual lesions on the inside of your mouth?"

The two pairs of sinuses that are deep, small, and inaccessible for examination are the:
A) ethmoid and sphenoid.
B) frontal and maxillary.
C) maxillary and ethmoid.
D) sphenoid and maxillary.

Mr. Glover is a 69-year-old patient who comes to the office for a routine examination. When evaluating an older patient, you should determine whether medications are being taken for depression and high blood pressure. Which of the following conditions is frequently associated with older adults taking these medications?
A) Teeth grinding during sleep
B) Decreased ability to taste
C) Dry mouth
D) Difficulty swallowing

The mucosa of an individual who is experiencing rhinitis would be:
A) resistant to discharge.
B) dry and pink in color.
C) bright red and swollen.
D) swollen, boggy, and gray in color.

Mr. Grainger is a 39-year-old gentleman who comes to the clinic with complaints of seasonal allergies. On examination of the tongue, which of the following is an expected finding and does not require further follow-up?
A) A white, raised patch that is adherent to the surface of the tongue
B) A beefy, red, swollen tongue that has smooth glossy areas
C) A tongue that is dull and nonglistening and has deep vertical fissures
D) A thin, white coating over the surface of the tongue

Mrs. Harris is a 45-year-old woman who comes to the office complaining of mouth sores. During your examination of the buccal mucosa, you note the presence of small, yellow-white papules on the cheek and tongue that may be identified as:
A) Fordyce's granules.
B) Epstein's pearls.
C) leukoplakia.
D) leukoedema.

Mr. Yates is a 16-year-old patient who comes to the office complaining of a sore throat. On examination, you note that the tonsils are enlarged to the point that they are about halfway between the tonsillar pillars and the uvula. These tonsils would be graded as:
A) 2+.
B) 4+.
C) 3+.
D) 1+.

When examining the mouth and throat, you ask the individual to stick out the tongue. Your observation of the tongue notes the presence of a fine tremor that accompanies which of the following conditions?
A) Hyperthyroidism
B) Halitosis
C) Diabetic ketoacidosis
D) Alcoholism

Mrs. Bowers brings her 8-year-old son in for a routine physical examination. During the exam, you note a transverse ridge across his nose. This is often a sign that the child may be experiencing:
A) measles.
B) choanal atresia.
C) allergies.
D) tonsillitis.

A pregnant female may present with which of the following alterations in the oral cavity?
A) Angular cheilitis
B) Koplik's spots
C) Macroglossia
D) Gum hypertrophy

Mrs. Jones is a 69-year-old patient who comes to the clinic. During your examination, you keep in mind that the process of bone resorption in older adults predisposes them to which of the following conditions?
A) Erosion of the enamel
B) Atrophy of the teeth
C) Elongation of the margins of the teeth
D) Loosening of the teeth

The olfactory receptors located in the roof of the nasal cavity function to:
A) determine the ratio of carbon dioxide to oxygen in the inspired air.
B) transmit the sensations of smell to CN I. C) filter the inspired air.
D) block the passage of bacteria into the respiratory system.

One of the purposes of the paranasal sinuses is to:
A) amplify sound.
B) lighten the weight of the skull bones.
C) augment the sensory sensation of smell.
D) warm and moisten the inspired air.

The tongue's ability to change shape and position enhances its function in which of the following ways?
A) Exposing more taste buds to the predigested food to enhance taste sensation
B) Mastication and swallowing of food
C) Secretion of fluid and enzymes to promote digestion
D) Prevention of food from entering the trachea

The parotid gland's duct that opens into the mouth opposite the second molar is:
A) the sublingual duct.
B) Stenson's duct.
C) Wharton's duct.
D) The submandibular gland.

The rich blood supply to the nasal mucosa performs which of the following functions?
A) Filters inhaled air
B) Warms inhaled air
C) Delivers bacteria and trapped matter to the lymph system for destruction
D) Moisturizes the air

When comparing a child's mouth with that of an adult, which of the following would you expect to observe?
A) Enlarged salivary glands
B) A total of 20 teeth instead of 32
C) A tongue that is less mobile due to an enlarged frenulum
D) Smaller tonsils

Drooling in an infant is due to which of the following?
A) Failure of the salivary gland ducts to develop
B) Lack of teeth
C) Enlargement of the salivary glands
D) Initiation of salivation by the salivary ducts

Mr. Featherlite is a 44-year-old patient who is a Native American. On examination of his mouth, you notice the presence of a bifid uvula. What should be your initial reaction to this finding?
A) It is an extremely rare finding and may be indicative of other congenital anomalies.
B) This individual needs to be followed up for the presence of oral cancer.
C) This condition is frequently associated with cleft palate.
D) It is an expected variation associated with this individual.

Mr. Treaner is a 72-year-old gentleman who comes to the office complaining of dry mouth. Which question would be appropriate to ask the patient?
A) "What medications are you taking?"
B) "How many glasses of water do you drink during the day?"
C) "Have you also noticed a change in your ability to taste?"
D) "Do you breathe through your mouth or nose?"

During the history portion of the examination of an 8-year-old child, you notice that, for most of the time, the child was sucking his thumb. You know that prolonged thumb-sucking in a child can lead to:
A) malocclusion.
B) excessive dental caries.
C) prognathism.
D) delayed eruption of permanent teeth.

Mrs. Walker is a 54 -year-old patient who comes to the office for a routine examination. When you palpate over the maxillary sinus area, she indicates a sensation of discomfort during the procedure. This response might indicate the presence of:
A) sinusitis.
B) nasal polyps.
C) tonsillitis.
D) tooth impaction.

Along the hard palate and on the gums of a newborn infant, you notice small, yellow-white, glistening papules. These are identified as:
A) Bednar's aphthae.
B) Fordyce's granules.
C) Epstein's pearls.
D) sucking tubercles.

During examination of the buccal mucosa, you observe a chalky white, raised patch with well-defined borders. Which of the following indicates an appropriate response to this observation?
A) These patches frequently accompany candidiasis (thrush).
B) These patches are generally indicative of malnutrition.
C) These patches are normally found in black and East Indian individuals.
D) These patches are precancerous and should be followed up.

An individual has come into the clinic for a check-up. On examination, you note that the tonsils are visible. Which of the following is the correct way to grade these tonsils?
A) 1+
B) 3+
C) 4+
D) 2+

The loss of subcutaneous fat in older adults produces which of the following manifestations?
A) A nose that appears more prominent
B) Gums that recede
C) Teeth that loosen in their sockets
D) A tongue that becomes atrophic

An enlarged tongue (macroglossia) may accompany which of the following conditions?
A) Cleft palate
B) Down syndrome
C) Hairy tongue
D) Fissured tongue