Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test 2026 - Free ADC Practice Questions and Study Guide

Patients with acute leukemia often exhibit severe gingivitis with bleeding due to several underlying factors associated with the disease. The infiltration of leukemic cells in the gingival tissue can lead to inflammation, which manifests as swollen, painful gums that bleed easily during routine oral hygiene practices.

Additionally, the systemic effects of leukemia, such as thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count), can contribute to impaired blood clotting, further exacerbating bleeding tendencies in the oral cavity. This condition necessitates careful monitoring and management of oral health in patients with acute leukemia to address the increased risk of oral infections and complications associated with such severe gingival inflammation.

The other choices, while they may be seen in different dental conditions, do not specifically correlate as directly with acute leukemia as the severe gingivitis with bleeding does. For instance, root caries is more commonly associated with factors such as poor oral hygiene or dry mouth, which may arise from other causes but are not the primary concern in patients with acute leukemia.

Localized periodontal disease may occur in the general population but is not a hallmark of acute leukemia, where systemic manifestations primarily drive oral health issues. Increased salivary secretion is generally not observed in these patients; instead, they often face xerostomia or dry mouth