503 Population Health, Epidemiology &
Statistical Principles | Chamberlain
1. Which measure of frequency is best used to describe the number of new cases of a disease
occurring in a specific population over a designated period of time?
A. Prevalence
B. Incidence
C. Attack Rate
D. Morbidity
Answer: B
Rationale: Incidence specifically measures the rate of new cases within a population over
time. It is a critical tool for understanding the spread of acute conditions or the risk of
developing a disease. Unlike prevalence, it does not include existing cases, focusing solely
on the transition from health to illness.
2. A provider is reviewing a screening test for a rare disease. Which statistical value indicates
the proportion of people who truly have the disease among those who tested positive?
A. Sensitivity
B. Specificity
C. Negative Predictive Value
,D. Positive Predictive Value
Answer: D
Rationale: Positive Predictive Value (PPV) measures the probability that a person with a
positive test result actually has the disease. It is highly influenced by the prevalence of the
disease in the population being tested. Understanding PPV helps clinicians counsel patients
on the meaning of their results after a screening event.
3. In a study comparing smokers to non-smokers over a ten-year period to determine the
development of lung cancer, which study design is being utilized?
A. Cohort
B. Case-Control
C. Cross-Sectional
D. Randomized Controlled Trial
Answer: A
Rationale: A cohort study follows a group of people based on their exposure status to see
who develops the outcome. This prospective approach allows researchers to calculate
relative risk and establish a temporal relationship between exposure and disease. It is
generally more expensive and time-consuming than retrospective designs like case-control
studies.
, 4. Which level of prevention is aimed at reducing the impact of a disease that has already
been diagnosed, such as cardiac rehabilitation after a myocardial infarction?
A. Tertiary Prevention
B. Secondary Prevention
C. Primary Prevention
D. Quaternary Prevention
Answer: A
Rationale: Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation and management of chronic or
advanced disease to improve quality of life. It aims to prevent further physical
deterioration and minimize complications of the existing condition. This level of care is
distinct from secondary prevention, which focuses on early detection and screening.
5. When evaluating the validity of a screening test, the ability of the test to correctly identify
those who do NOT have the disease is known as:
A. Specificity
B. Sensitivity
C. Precision
D. Reliability
Answer: A