Oral medicine: oral candidiasis: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Dentistry · Oral medicine: oral candidiasis

Sample item

An asthmatic using an inhaled corticosteroid has white curdy plaques on the palate that wipe off, leaving red mucosa. What is the diagnosis and advice?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Oral candidiasis; rinse mouth after inhaler and use antifungal

Pseudomembranous candidiasis scrapes off, leaving an erythematous base, and is common with inhaled steroids. Mouth rinsing or a spacer lowers risk, and topical nystatin or clotrimazole treats it.

Option by option

  • A. Necrotising gingivitis; start metronidazole

    Necrotising gingivitis affects the gingival papillae with pain and fetor.

  • B. Leukoplakia; urgent wide excision

    Leukoplakia does not wipe off.

  • C. Oral candidiasis; rinse mouth after inhaler and use antifungal (correct)

    Correct. Findings and risk factor fit thrush.

  • D. Lichen planus; stop all steroids

    Lichen planus shows lacy striae that do not wipe off.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Dentistry questions

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Oral candidiasis; rinse mouth after inhaler and use antifungal. Pseudomembranous candidiasis scrapes off, leaving an erythematous base, and is common with inhaled steroids.

Why is "Necrotising gingivitis; start metronidazole" not the answer?

Necrotising gingivitis affects the gingival papillae with pain and fetor.

Why is "Leukoplakia; urgent wide excision" not the answer?

Leukoplakia does not wipe off.

Why is "Lichen planus; stop all steroids" not the answer?

Lichen planus shows lacy striae that do not wipe off.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral medicine: oral candidiasis in Dentistry. Mouth rinsing or a spacer lowers risk, and topical nystatin or clotrimazole treats it.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Oral medicine: oral candidiasis?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.