Q: Which medication can treat oral candidiasis?

Q: Which medication can treat oral candidiasis?

(A). Nystatin
(B). Acyclovir
(C). Isoniazid
(D). Amoxicillin

• Nystatin (Mycostatin) is an antifungal agent that is applied topically to treat fungal infections such as oral candidiasis.
• Acyclovir (Zovirax) is used in the treatment of viral infections including herpes simplex 1 (HSV1), herpes simplex 2 (HSV2), mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), and shingles (varicella-zoster).
• Isoniazid (INH) is used in the treatment of tuberculosis.
• Amoxicillin is used in the treatment of bacterial infections.

Answer: A. Nystatin

Fungus is a natural part of our oral microbia. In fact, science says there are over 200 species of microbes in our mouth. Fungal infections occur more often in patients who are immunosuppressed. To treat the conditions, we generally use the following two types of drugs:

o   Nystatin (Mycostatin) is usually applied topically.

o   Fluconazole (Diflucan) and ketoconazole are usually taken orally.

Wake Up Memory Technique (WMT) for the dental hygiene boards

Now, the big question.

How are we going to remember that drugs that end with -statin and -zole are used for fungal infections?

Let’s use StudentRDH’s (almost famous) Wake Up Memory Technique.

• Pick: we already selected the words -statin and – zole to focus on.
• Create a story about those words and connect them with the original information (fungal infection). Let’s think of fungus as “white frosting” as candidiasis usually has a “creamy white” appearance.
  1. Statin -> station: you are rushing to take the subway and as you reach the station and pass through the gate, the person in front of you drops the beautiful cake on the floor. You then step in a puddle of white frosting.
  2. Zole -> sole: you accidentally stepped on a mess your child left with her cake and the wonderful white frosting. You then wash the frosting (candidiasis) from the sole of your foot.

I hope that this all makes sense. Use your imagination; awaken your brains’ potential to remember anytime!

The National dental hygiene boards of the NDHCE/NBDHE will challenge you (big time), and you need every trick possible to finish strong.

Did you know that you get practice questions when you sign up for the FREE trial?

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(Disclaimer: StudentRDH is NOT affiliated with the NBDHE, NDHCE, CSCE, CDCA, WREB.)