NYC Public Health Adviser Civil Service Exam 2026 – 190 Practice
Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales, Health Education,
Disease Prevention, Community Outreach, Epidemiology & Public
Health Regulations
DOMAIN 1: COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL (Questions 1–25)
Question 1
A public health adviser is notified that a child in a daycare center has been diagnosed with
pertussis. What is the MOST appropriate first action?
A. Close the daycare center immediately
B. Identify and notify close contacts of the case
C. Wait for the laboratory confirmation before acting
D. Recommend the entire daycare receive antibiotics without investigation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Prompt contact identification and notification are essential to interrupt
transmission and arrange prophylaxis for exposed persons.
Question 2
Which of the following best describes the incubation period of measles?
A. 2–4 days
B. 7–10 days
C. 10–14 days
D. 21–28 days
,Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Measles typically incubates 10–14 days before symptoms, guiding the window
for post-exposure prophylaxis and monitoring.
Question 3
A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis reports coughing frequently. What instruction
should the adviser reinforce?
A. Continue normal activities without precautions
B. Wear a surgical mask when around others until cleared
C. Stop all medications once symptoms improve
D. Only cover the mouth when sneezing
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Masking reduces transmission until the patient is no longer infectious, a core
tuberculosis control practice.
Question 4
A case of hepatitis A is reported in a food handler. Which action is MOST urgent?
A. Interview the case to identify food handling dates
B. Test all restaurant customers for hepatitis A
C. Close the restaurant permanently
D. Provide the case with a hepatitis B vaccine
Correct Answer: A
,Explanation: Identifying exposure dates and settings allows timely prophylaxis for patrons
and staff who may have been exposed.
Question 5
Which body fluid is the primary route of transmission for HIV in occupational settings?
A. Saliva
B. Blood
C. Tears
D. Sweat
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Blood and other infectious body fluids transmit HIV; saliva, tears, and sweat are
not considered infectious.
Question 6
A patient newly diagnosed with gonorrhea reports multiple partners. What is the adviser's
BEST response?
A. Refuse to discuss partner notification
B. Provide partner services and expedited partner therapy information
C. Report the patient to law enforcement
D. Advise the patient to avoid all future relationships
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Partner services and expedited partner therapy prevent reinfection and reduce
community transmission of gonorrhea.
, Question 7
What is the primary purpose of isolation for a patient with active tuberculosis?
A. Punish non-adherent patients
B. Prevent airborne transmission to others
C. Reduce the cost of treatment
D. Satisfy insurance requirements
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Isolation prevents airborne transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis until
the patient is non-infectious.
Question 8
During a shigellosis outbreak, which control measure is MOST effective?
A. Hand hygiene education and exclusion of ill food handlers
B. Closing all schools
C. Water chlorination only
D. Mass antibiotic prophylaxis for the community
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Shigella spreads fecal-orally; hand hygiene and excluding ill food handlers break
the transmission chain effectively.
Question 9
Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales, Health Education,
Disease Prevention, Community Outreach, Epidemiology & Public
Health Regulations
DOMAIN 1: COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL (Questions 1–25)
Question 1
A public health adviser is notified that a child in a daycare center has been diagnosed with
pertussis. What is the MOST appropriate first action?
A. Close the daycare center immediately
B. Identify and notify close contacts of the case
C. Wait for the laboratory confirmation before acting
D. Recommend the entire daycare receive antibiotics without investigation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Prompt contact identification and notification are essential to interrupt
transmission and arrange prophylaxis for exposed persons.
Question 2
Which of the following best describes the incubation period of measles?
A. 2–4 days
B. 7–10 days
C. 10–14 days
D. 21–28 days
,Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Measles typically incubates 10–14 days before symptoms, guiding the window
for post-exposure prophylaxis and monitoring.
Question 3
A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis reports coughing frequently. What instruction
should the adviser reinforce?
A. Continue normal activities without precautions
B. Wear a surgical mask when around others until cleared
C. Stop all medications once symptoms improve
D. Only cover the mouth when sneezing
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Masking reduces transmission until the patient is no longer infectious, a core
tuberculosis control practice.
Question 4
A case of hepatitis A is reported in a food handler. Which action is MOST urgent?
A. Interview the case to identify food handling dates
B. Test all restaurant customers for hepatitis A
C. Close the restaurant permanently
D. Provide the case with a hepatitis B vaccine
Correct Answer: A
,Explanation: Identifying exposure dates and settings allows timely prophylaxis for patrons
and staff who may have been exposed.
Question 5
Which body fluid is the primary route of transmission for HIV in occupational settings?
A. Saliva
B. Blood
C. Tears
D. Sweat
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Blood and other infectious body fluids transmit HIV; saliva, tears, and sweat are
not considered infectious.
Question 6
A patient newly diagnosed with gonorrhea reports multiple partners. What is the adviser's
BEST response?
A. Refuse to discuss partner notification
B. Provide partner services and expedited partner therapy information
C. Report the patient to law enforcement
D. Advise the patient to avoid all future relationships
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Partner services and expedited partner therapy prevent reinfection and reduce
community transmission of gonorrhea.
, Question 7
What is the primary purpose of isolation for a patient with active tuberculosis?
A. Punish non-adherent patients
B. Prevent airborne transmission to others
C. Reduce the cost of treatment
D. Satisfy insurance requirements
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Isolation prevents airborne transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis until
the patient is non-infectious.
Question 8
During a shigellosis outbreak, which control measure is MOST effective?
A. Hand hygiene education and exclusion of ill food handlers
B. Closing all schools
C. Water chlorination only
D. Mass antibiotic prophylaxis for the community
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Shigella spreads fecal-orally; hand hygiene and excluding ill food handlers break
the transmission chain effectively.
Question 9
