P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
Epidemiology Final Exam
Questions & Answers
2026/2027 Complete
Updated Edition
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 137 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 137 verified epidemiology questions, each paired with the correct
answer and a detailed rationale. It is suitable for comprehensive study and review of core
epidemiological concepts, directly aligning with preparation for certification exams and
final course assessments.
TOPICS
• Measures of Disease Frequency • Introduction to Epidemiology
• Disease Causation and Transmission • Analysis and Interpretation
• Study Designs • Bias and Validity
• Ethics in Research
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 137
How should you report a calculated period prevalence = 0.0074 for multiple sclerosis? The
data were collected over 3 years. Report the 3-year period prevalence.
ANSWER
The prevalence of multiple sclerosis over 3 years was 0.74%.
RATIONALE
Period prevalence quantifies existing cases of a disease within a specified time interval. To express
this rate as a percentage, the calculated decimal value is multiplied by 100. Therefore, a period
prevalence of 0.0074 over three years is reported as 0.74%.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 137
Colorectal cancer and lung cancer death rates are examples of:
ANSWER
cause specific death rates
RATIONALE
These rates isolate mortality from a particular disease, such as colorectal or lung cancer, from all
other causes of death. This allows for precise measurement of the burden of specific diseases on a
population's mortality. This specificity is key for disease control and prevention strategies.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 137
A recent study found that Swaziland has the highest prevalence rate of persons living with
HIV in the world at 27.4%. This rate has held steady over many years. For this country, HIV is
considered to be
ANSWER
endemic
Page 2
, RATIONALE
An endemic disease is consistently present within a particular population or geographic area at a
predictable rate. When a disease remains at a stable, high prevalence over an extended period, it is
considered endemic to that region. The reported steady, high prevalence of HIV in Swaziland aligns
with this definition.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 137
What is one factor that would keep prevalence the same even with increased incidence?
ANSWER
high case fatality
RATIONALE
Prevalence reflects the total number of existing cases, while incidence measures new cases. High
case fatality means that individuals with the disease die quickly, leading to rapid removal from the
prevalent pool. This rapid turnover, with new cases entering and old cases leaving due to death, can
stabilize prevalence despite rising incidence.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 137
When a new drug treatment extends the life of those with a chronic disease, the prevalence
will _________ and the incidence will _______
ANSWER
increase, stay the same
RATIONALE
Extending life for individuals with a chronic disease means more people will be living with the
condition at any given time, thus increasing prevalence. However, the rate at which new cases
develop (incidence) is not directly affected by improved survival of existing cases.
Page 3
, Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 137
There are 1,133 people recruited to take part in a study, 567 have cardiovascular disease
(CVD). 115 of those with CVD are smokers. Researchers assess the diet of all participants to
determine if those who eat meat are at a higher risk of CVD.
What is the main determinant and the main outcome in this study?
ANSWER
eating meat, CVD
RATIONALE
In epidemiological research, the determinant is the exposure or factor being investigated for its
potential effect. The outcome is the disease or health condition being studied. This study assesses
whether eating meat (the determinant) is associated with an increased risk of developing
cardiovascular disease (the outcome).
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 137
How do you report your prevalence results in the previous question?
ANSWER
The prevalence of condom use among college age men with multiple partners during their last
sexual encounter is XX%
RATIONALE
Prevalence is reported as a proportion or percentage of a population that has a condition or
characteristic at a specific point in time or over a period. Thus, expressing the finding as a
percentage of the specified demographic group directly reflects the measured prevalence.
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 137
In November 2013, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
received an alert of an excess number people presenting to the ER with fever in Richland
County. This alert prompted an investigation into a possible disease outbreak
ANSWER
syndromic surveillance system
Page 4
Epidemiology Final Exam
Questions & Answers
2026/2027 Complete
Updated Edition
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 137 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 137 verified epidemiology questions, each paired with the correct
answer and a detailed rationale. It is suitable for comprehensive study and review of core
epidemiological concepts, directly aligning with preparation for certification exams and
final course assessments.
TOPICS
• Measures of Disease Frequency • Introduction to Epidemiology
• Disease Causation and Transmission • Analysis and Interpretation
• Study Designs • Bias and Validity
• Ethics in Research
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 137
How should you report a calculated period prevalence = 0.0074 for multiple sclerosis? The
data were collected over 3 years. Report the 3-year period prevalence.
ANSWER
The prevalence of multiple sclerosis over 3 years was 0.74%.
RATIONALE
Period prevalence quantifies existing cases of a disease within a specified time interval. To express
this rate as a percentage, the calculated decimal value is multiplied by 100. Therefore, a period
prevalence of 0.0074 over three years is reported as 0.74%.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 137
Colorectal cancer and lung cancer death rates are examples of:
ANSWER
cause specific death rates
RATIONALE
These rates isolate mortality from a particular disease, such as colorectal or lung cancer, from all
other causes of death. This allows for precise measurement of the burden of specific diseases on a
population's mortality. This specificity is key for disease control and prevention strategies.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 137
A recent study found that Swaziland has the highest prevalence rate of persons living with
HIV in the world at 27.4%. This rate has held steady over many years. For this country, HIV is
considered to be
ANSWER
endemic
Page 2
, RATIONALE
An endemic disease is consistently present within a particular population or geographic area at a
predictable rate. When a disease remains at a stable, high prevalence over an extended period, it is
considered endemic to that region. The reported steady, high prevalence of HIV in Swaziland aligns
with this definition.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 137
What is one factor that would keep prevalence the same even with increased incidence?
ANSWER
high case fatality
RATIONALE
Prevalence reflects the total number of existing cases, while incidence measures new cases. High
case fatality means that individuals with the disease die quickly, leading to rapid removal from the
prevalent pool. This rapid turnover, with new cases entering and old cases leaving due to death, can
stabilize prevalence despite rising incidence.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 137
When a new drug treatment extends the life of those with a chronic disease, the prevalence
will _________ and the incidence will _______
ANSWER
increase, stay the same
RATIONALE
Extending life for individuals with a chronic disease means more people will be living with the
condition at any given time, thus increasing prevalence. However, the rate at which new cases
develop (incidence) is not directly affected by improved survival of existing cases.
Page 3
, Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 137
There are 1,133 people recruited to take part in a study, 567 have cardiovascular disease
(CVD). 115 of those with CVD are smokers. Researchers assess the diet of all participants to
determine if those who eat meat are at a higher risk of CVD.
What is the main determinant and the main outcome in this study?
ANSWER
eating meat, CVD
RATIONALE
In epidemiological research, the determinant is the exposure or factor being investigated for its
potential effect. The outcome is the disease or health condition being studied. This study assesses
whether eating meat (the determinant) is associated with an increased risk of developing
cardiovascular disease (the outcome).
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 137
How do you report your prevalence results in the previous question?
ANSWER
The prevalence of condom use among college age men with multiple partners during their last
sexual encounter is XX%
RATIONALE
Prevalence is reported as a proportion or percentage of a population that has a condition or
characteristic at a specific point in time or over a period. Thus, expressing the finding as a
percentage of the specified demographic group directly reflects the measured prevalence.
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 137
In November 2013, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
received an alert of an excess number people presenting to the ER with fever in Richland
County. This alert prompted an investigation into a possible disease outbreak
ANSWER
syndromic surveillance system
Page 4
