Deck 20: Potential Impact of Periodontal Infections on Overall General Health

Question 1

The entry and presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, a common occurrence in patients with periodontitis, is called:

A) bacteriosis.
B) bacteremia.
C) bacterascites.
D) bacteroidosis.
E) bacterioclasis.

Answer 1

bacteremia.

Question 2

In Alzheimer's disease (AD):

A) there is a progressive atrophy of the cerebral cortex.
B) antigens from oral spirochetes have been detected in brain tissues at a higher rate than in non-AD controls.
C) a cause-and-effect relationship has not been shown between oral spirochetes and AD.
D) All of the above are correct.

Answer 2

All of the above are correct.

Question 3

The "blood-brain barrier" refers to:

A) bacteria in the bloodstream leading to the brain.
B) the link between periodontitis and systemic conditions.
C) bacteria in periodontal pockets that enter the brain.
D) junctions between the choroids plexus and capillary endothelial cells in the brain.

Answer 3

junctions between the choroids plexus and capillary endothelial cells in the brain.

Question 4

An inflammatory thickening of the blood vessel wall triggered by injured endothelial cells is called a(n):

A) lipoma.
B) fibroma.
C) adenoma.
D) atheroma.
E) carcinoma.

Question 5

Aspiration pneumonias may develop when:

A) oral fluids containing large numbers of microorganisms are aspirated into the bronchial tree and lungs.
B) periodontal infections alter the local intraoral environment in such a way that the mouth becomes colonized with elevated numbers of respiratory pathogens.
C) the metabolic control of blood sugar levels is hampered by the presence of periodontal infections.
D) both a and b occur.

Question 6

Injury of endothelial cells may be caused by all of the following except:

A) bacteria.
B) hypertension.
C) environmental toxins.
D) drinking bottled water.
E) components of cigarette smoke.

Question 7

A serious periodontitis-associated complication of pregnancy characterized by hypertension, swelling of the ankles, and proteinuria is which of the following?

A) Preeclampsia
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Insulin resistance
D) Myocardial infarction
E) Aspiration pneumonia

Question 8

The presence of bleeding gums suggests that the epithelial lining of the pocket wall is:

A) thin and ulcerated.
B) thick and keratinized.
C) swollen and lacerated.
D) avascular and abraded.
E) ischemic and dehydrated.

Question 9

Atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels that lead to coronary heart disease are also the main cause of which of the following?

A) Preeclampsia
B) Chronic gastritis
C) Diabetes mellitus
D) Nonhemorrhagic stroke
E) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Question 10

Ventilator-associated pneumonias:

A) occur most often in patients receiving care in an intensive care unit (ICU) for prolonged hospital care.
B) occur when the breathing tube becomes colonized by microorganisms from the mouth and oropharynx.
C) can be reduced by performing oral hygiene procedures on ICU patients.
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 11

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:

A) is characterized by chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
B) has been statistically linked to periodontal infections.
C) has not been shown pathophysiologically to be influenced by the presence of periodontal infections.
D) All of the above

Question 12

Chronic periodontitis has been suggested as a risk factor for all of the following systemic problems except:

A) preterm birth.
B) hemorrhagic stroke.
C) Alzheimer's disease.
D) coronary heart disease.
E) type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Question 13

Aspiration pneumonias occur most often in persons that:

A) have impaired gag and swallowing reflexes.
B) reside in nursing homes.
C) have dysphagia from a stroke, Parkinson's disease, or other neurologic problems.
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 14

Ischemic strokes are caused by a sudden:

A) blockage of the airway.
B) overstimulation of peripheral nerves.
C) interruption of the brain's blood supply.
D) interruption of the cardiac blood supply.
E) hemorrhage within and around the heart.

Question 15

Preterm birth and low-birthweight babies are associated with which of the following?

A) Bacterial endotoxins associated with periodontitis in the blood that stimulate production of inflammatory mediators that induce labor
B) Convulsions and coma during labor
C) Lack of appropriate periodontal therapy during pregnancy
D) All of the above

Question 16

People with uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus:

A) have high levels of glucose in the blood.
B) are more susceptible to infections.
C) have more severe periodontitis compared with diabetics whose condition is medically well controlled.
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 17

Periodontitis-associated atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels are characterized by vascular:

A) necrosis.
B) branching.
C) proliferation.
D) inflammation.
E) fragmentation.