Oral medicine: 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.

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Dentistry · Oral medicine: candidiasis

Sample item

A patient using inhaled corticosteroids has sore mouth and creamy white plaques that wipe off, leaving an erythematous surface. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Pseudomembranous candidiasis

Pseudomembranous candidiasis presents with wipeable white plaques and is promoted by inhaled corticosteroids, xerostomia, or immunosuppression. Mouth rinsing after inhaled steroid use can reduce risk.

Option by option

  • A. Aphthous ulceration

    Aphthae are painful discrete ulcers, not wipeable plaques.

  • B. Lichen planus

    Lichen planus often has reticular white striae.

  • C. Pseudomembranous candidiasis (correct)

    Correct. Removable creamy plaques are typical of oral thrush.

  • D. Leukoplakia

    Leukoplakia is not usually removable.

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, Pseudomembranous candidiasis. Pseudomembranous candidiasis presents with wipeable white plaques and is promoted by inhaled corticosteroids, xerostomia, or immunosuppression.

Why is "Aphthous ulceration" not the answer?

Aphthae are painful discrete ulcers, not wipeable plaques.

Why is "Lichen planus" not the answer?

Lichen planus often has reticular white striae.

Why is "Leukoplakia" not the answer?

Leukoplakia is not usually removable.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral medicine: candidiasis in Dentistry. Mouth rinsing after inhaled steroid use can reduce risk.

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: 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.