Oral medicine and oral cancer: radiation mucositis: 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 and oral cancer: radiation mucositis

Sample item

In the second week of radiotherapy for oral cancer, a patient has painful confluent erythema and ulceration of the buccal mucosa. Which topical agent is commonly used for symptom relief?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Benzydamine mouthwash

Radiation mucositis is treated with bland rinses, benzydamine and analgesia, and alcohol-containing products are avoided. Antifungals are added only if candidiasis is present.

Option by option

  • A. Nystatin suspension alone for pain

    Nystatin treats candidiasis, not the pain of mucositis.

  • B. Benzydamine mouthwash (correct)

    Correct. Benzydamine is an anti-inflammatory analgesic mouthwash.

  • C. Alcohol-containing antiseptic mouthwash

    Alcohol irritates already damaged mucosa.

  • D. Hydrogen peroxide gargle

    Peroxide gargles irritate ulcerated tissue and delay healing.

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.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, Benzydamine mouthwash. Radiation mucositis is treated with bland rinses, benzydamine and analgesia, and alcohol-containing products are avoided.

Why is "Nystatin suspension alone for pain" not the answer?

Nystatin treats candidiasis, not the pain of mucositis.

Why is "Alcohol-containing antiseptic mouthwash" not the answer?

Alcohol irritates already damaged mucosa.

Why is "Hydrogen peroxide gargle" not the answer?

Peroxide gargles irritate ulcerated tissue and delay healing.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral medicine and oral cancer: radiation mucositis in Dentistry. Antifungals are added only if candidiasis is present.

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 and oral cancer: radiation mucositis?

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.