EPIDEMIOLOGY REVIEW EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Epidemiology, as defined in this lesson, would include which of the following activities?
A. Describing the demographic characteristics of persons with acute aflatoxin poisoning
in District A
B. Prescribing an antibiotic to treat a patient with community-acquired methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection
C. Comparing the family history, amount of exercise, and eating habits of those with and
without newly diagnosed diabetes
D. Recommending that a restaurant be closed after implicating it as the source of a
hepatitis A outbreak - ANSWER-A, C, D. Epidemiology includes assessment of the
distribution (including describing demographic characteristics of an affected population),
determinants (including a study of possible risk factors), and the application to control
health problems (such as closing a restaurant). It does not generally include the actual
treatment of individuals, which is the responsibility of health-care providers.
The hallmark feature of an analytic epidemiologic study is: (Choose one best answer)
A. Use of an appropriate comparison group
B. Laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis
C. Publication in a peer-reviewed journal
D. Statistical analysis using logistic regression - ANSWER-A. The hallmark feature of an
analytic epidemiologic study is use of an appropriate comparison group.
A number of passengers on a cruise ship from Puerto Rico to the Panama Canal have
recently developed a gastrointestinal illness compatible with norovirus (formerly called
Norwalk-like virus). Testing for norovirus is not readily available in any nearby island,
and the test takes several days even where available. Assuming you are the
epidemiologist called on to board the ship and investigate this possible outbreak, your
case definition should include, at a minimum: (Choose one best answer)
A. Clinical criteria, plus specification of time, place, and person
B. Clinical features, plus the exposure(s) you most suspect
C. Suspect cases
D. The nationally agreed standard case definition for disease reporting - ANSWER-A. A
case definition for a field investigation should include clinical criteria, plus specification
of time, place, and person. The case definition should be independent of the exposure
you wish to evaluate. Depending on the availability of laboratory confirmation, certainty
of diagnosis, and other factors, a case definition may or may not be developed for
suspect cases. The nationally agreed standard case definition for disease reporting is
usually quite specific, and usually does not include suspect or possible cases
Which of the following are requirements for herd immunity to be achieved? (Check all
that apply).
A. Prior infections must induce solid immunity
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Epidemiology, as defined in this lesson, would include which of the following activities?
A. Describing the demographic characteristics of persons with acute aflatoxin poisoning
in District A
B. Prescribing an antibiotic to treat a patient with community-acquired methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection
C. Comparing the family history, amount of exercise, and eating habits of those with and
without newly diagnosed diabetes
D. Recommending that a restaurant be closed after implicating it as the source of a
hepatitis A outbreak - ANSWER-A, C, D. Epidemiology includes assessment of the
distribution (including describing demographic characteristics of an affected population),
determinants (including a study of possible risk factors), and the application to control
health problems (such as closing a restaurant). It does not generally include the actual
treatment of individuals, which is the responsibility of health-care providers.
The hallmark feature of an analytic epidemiologic study is: (Choose one best answer)
A. Use of an appropriate comparison group
B. Laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis
C. Publication in a peer-reviewed journal
D. Statistical analysis using logistic regression - ANSWER-A. The hallmark feature of an
analytic epidemiologic study is use of an appropriate comparison group.
A number of passengers on a cruise ship from Puerto Rico to the Panama Canal have
recently developed a gastrointestinal illness compatible with norovirus (formerly called
Norwalk-like virus). Testing for norovirus is not readily available in any nearby island,
and the test takes several days even where available. Assuming you are the
epidemiologist called on to board the ship and investigate this possible outbreak, your
case definition should include, at a minimum: (Choose one best answer)
A. Clinical criteria, plus specification of time, place, and person
B. Clinical features, plus the exposure(s) you most suspect
C. Suspect cases
D. The nationally agreed standard case definition for disease reporting - ANSWER-A. A
case definition for a field investigation should include clinical criteria, plus specification
of time, place, and person. The case definition should be independent of the exposure
you wish to evaluate. Depending on the availability of laboratory confirmation, certainty
of diagnosis, and other factors, a case definition may or may not be developed for
suspect cases. The nationally agreed standard case definition for disease reporting is
usually quite specific, and usually does not include suspect or possible cases
Which of the following are requirements for herd immunity to be achieved? (Check all
that apply).
A. Prior infections must induce solid immunity
