RS/ REHS Practice Questions and Answers.
What is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children under five years of age?
a) Neisseria meningitides
b) Group B Streptococci
c) Streptococcus pneumoniae
d) Haemophilus influenzae type B correct answers d) Haemophilus influenzae type B
How is "giardiasis" usually transmitted to others?
a) Person-to-person transfer of cysts from the feces of the infected individual
b) Drinking unfiltered water from streams and lakes
c) Drinking unboiled water from streams and lakes
d) Drinking inadequately chlorinated water from a municipal water distribution system
correct answers a) Person-to-person transfer of cysts from the feces of the infected individual
Which of the following duties of state and local health agencies is focused to protect the
public's health and welfare?
a) Community-intensive planning
b) Statutory administrative action
c) Regulatory responsibilities
d) Plan implementation correct answers c) Regulatory responsibilities
Which of the following is a measure of the amount of light scattered by particles suspended
in a water test sample?
a) Formazin Turbidity Units (FTU)
b) Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU)
c) Hydrosyntalic Turbidity Units (HTU)
d) Lorcetic Turbidity Units (LTU) correct answers b) Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU)
What is an epidemic?
a) The constant presence of a disease within a community or region
b) The presence of an infectious agent on a body surface
c) The presence of infection in a host without clear, recognizable clinical symptoms
d) The occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness clearly in excess of
expectancy correct answers d) The occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness
clearly in excess of expectancy
What portal of entry should a field sanitarian protect to avoid contracting Lyme disease?
a) Skin
b) Respiratory tract
c) Reproductive organs
d) Digestive tract correct answers a) Skin
Swimmer's itch is a common name for which of the following diseases?
a) Leptospirosis
b) Subdural dermatitis
c) Schistosomiasis
d) Trichiniasis correct answers c) Schistosomiasis
,Which of the following factors would least contribute to the emergence of a new infectious
disease?
a) Human behavior
b) Heat disinfection
c) Antibiotic use
d) Disinfectant use correct answers b) Heat disinfection
Listeriosis is commonly associated with
a) contaminated water
b) contaminated food
c) infected mice
d) infected birds correct answers b) contaminated food
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is caused by an infection with
a) dracunculus medinensis
b) staphylococcus aureus
c) escherichia coli O157:H7
d) salmonella typhimurium correct answers c) escherichia coli O157:H7
The basic principles of disease control include all of the following except
a) lag phase
b) control of disease source
c) mode of transmission
d) understanding susceptibility correct answers a) lag phase
Which one of the following phrases most accurately describes the term endemic?
a) sporadic occurrence of an illness
b) illnesses that exceed expected levels
c) all illnesses present at any one time
d) constant presence of an illness correct answers d) constant presence of an illness
The interval between exposure to an infectious agent and the appearance of the first symptom
is called the
a) transmission period
b) susceptible period
c) reactive period
d) incubation period correct answers d) incubation period
An environmental health specialist receives a cash payment from a restaurant operator in
order to receive a passing restaurant inspection score. This event is known as
a) malfeasance
b) misfeasance
c) nonfeasance
d) exclusionary rule correct answers a) malfeasance
An environmental health manager trains environmental health specialists on the operation of
environmental probe thermometers. In the interest of time, the manager omits a training
section on safe sheathing of the thermometer, and subsequently an environmental health
specialist punctures their finger and injures themselves. This is an example of
a) malfeasance
,b) misfeasance
c) nonfeasance
d) exclusionary rule correct answers c) nonfeasance
An environmental health specialist informs vector control staff to perform "landing counts"
on their skin in a known mosquito breeding ground which is confirmed to be positive with
West Nile virus. This is an example of
a) malfeasance
b) misfeasance
c) nonfeasance
d) exclusionary rule correct answers b) misfeasance
Vehicleborne, vectorborne, or airborne are all examples of:
a) indirect mode of transmission
b) direct mode of transmission
c) hosts
d) life cycle sequences correct answers a) indirect mode of transmission
An employer is held liable for the torts of its employees committed within the scope of their
employment. This is referred to as:
a) respondeat superior
b) parens patriae
c) substituted judgement
d) corporate privilege correct answers a) respondeat superior
Performance of an authorized act in an unauthorized manner is called
a) nonfeasance
b) misfeasance
c) malfeasance
d) disfeasance correct answers b) misfeasance
An action authorized by law to restrict or prevent the movement of goods for the protection
of public health, safety and welfare is called an order of
a) injunction
b) withholding
c) embargo
d) seizure correct answers c) embargo
What is the federal agency that regulates food additives?
a) CDC
b) Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
c) Department of Agriculture
d) Food and Drug Administration correct answers d) Food and Drug Administration
When a legal action is being prepared, one of the first steps a sanitarian should take is to:
a) obtain a warrant
b) obtain a court order
c) keep accurate records
d) check with other agencies correct answers c) keep accurate records
, How is the term "contamination" defined when used in connection with a communicable
disease?
a) infection of an individual or animal with pathogenic organisms
b) presence of pathogenic agents on a surface, article, or substance
c) transfer of a vector, regardless of time or the nature of the host
d) contact between two or more sources of infection correct answers b) presence of
pathogenic agents on a surface, article, or substance
What is the most common contributing factor to foodborne illness?
a) insect and rodent infestations
b) dirty equipment
c) incorrect labeling of containers
d) improper holding temperatures correct answers d) improper holding temperatures
Why are some foods classified as time/temperature control for safety?
a) they have a pH below 4.2
b) they have a water activity below 0.85
c) they support rapid growth of pathogenic microorganisms
d) they require rapid and thorough cooking correct answers c) they support rapid growth of
pathogenic microorganisms
Which food does not require refrigeration at 41F (5C)?
a) open container of garlic in oil
b) tofu
c) sliced/cut cantaloupe
d) UHT creamers correct answers d) UHT creamers
What is the best means of inhibiting the growth of microorganisms in fresh meat?
a) topical use of approved hypochlorite solutions
b) exposure to ultraviolet light for 30 minutes
c) chemical preservatives
d) adequate refrigeration and cleanliness correct answers d) adequate refrigeration and
cleanliness
What is the maximum accumulated time that time/temperature control for safety food can
safely be exposed to the temperature danger zone?
a) 2 hours
b) 4 hours
c) 6 hours
d) 8 hours correct answers c) 6 hours
If time only is used as a public health control, the maximum period of time recommended by
the FDA for time/temperature control for safety food to be held is:
a) 2 hours
b) 4 hours if the warmest part of the food item does not exceed 120F
c) 6 hours if the warmest part of the food item does not exceed 70F
d) this public health control is never permitted correct answers c) 6 hours if the warmest part
of the food item does not exceed 70F
What is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children under five years of age?
a) Neisseria meningitides
b) Group B Streptococci
c) Streptococcus pneumoniae
d) Haemophilus influenzae type B correct answers d) Haemophilus influenzae type B
How is "giardiasis" usually transmitted to others?
a) Person-to-person transfer of cysts from the feces of the infected individual
b) Drinking unfiltered water from streams and lakes
c) Drinking unboiled water from streams and lakes
d) Drinking inadequately chlorinated water from a municipal water distribution system
correct answers a) Person-to-person transfer of cysts from the feces of the infected individual
Which of the following duties of state and local health agencies is focused to protect the
public's health and welfare?
a) Community-intensive planning
b) Statutory administrative action
c) Regulatory responsibilities
d) Plan implementation correct answers c) Regulatory responsibilities
Which of the following is a measure of the amount of light scattered by particles suspended
in a water test sample?
a) Formazin Turbidity Units (FTU)
b) Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU)
c) Hydrosyntalic Turbidity Units (HTU)
d) Lorcetic Turbidity Units (LTU) correct answers b) Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU)
What is an epidemic?
a) The constant presence of a disease within a community or region
b) The presence of an infectious agent on a body surface
c) The presence of infection in a host without clear, recognizable clinical symptoms
d) The occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness clearly in excess of
expectancy correct answers d) The occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness
clearly in excess of expectancy
What portal of entry should a field sanitarian protect to avoid contracting Lyme disease?
a) Skin
b) Respiratory tract
c) Reproductive organs
d) Digestive tract correct answers a) Skin
Swimmer's itch is a common name for which of the following diseases?
a) Leptospirosis
b) Subdural dermatitis
c) Schistosomiasis
d) Trichiniasis correct answers c) Schistosomiasis
,Which of the following factors would least contribute to the emergence of a new infectious
disease?
a) Human behavior
b) Heat disinfection
c) Antibiotic use
d) Disinfectant use correct answers b) Heat disinfection
Listeriosis is commonly associated with
a) contaminated water
b) contaminated food
c) infected mice
d) infected birds correct answers b) contaminated food
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is caused by an infection with
a) dracunculus medinensis
b) staphylococcus aureus
c) escherichia coli O157:H7
d) salmonella typhimurium correct answers c) escherichia coli O157:H7
The basic principles of disease control include all of the following except
a) lag phase
b) control of disease source
c) mode of transmission
d) understanding susceptibility correct answers a) lag phase
Which one of the following phrases most accurately describes the term endemic?
a) sporadic occurrence of an illness
b) illnesses that exceed expected levels
c) all illnesses present at any one time
d) constant presence of an illness correct answers d) constant presence of an illness
The interval between exposure to an infectious agent and the appearance of the first symptom
is called the
a) transmission period
b) susceptible period
c) reactive period
d) incubation period correct answers d) incubation period
An environmental health specialist receives a cash payment from a restaurant operator in
order to receive a passing restaurant inspection score. This event is known as
a) malfeasance
b) misfeasance
c) nonfeasance
d) exclusionary rule correct answers a) malfeasance
An environmental health manager trains environmental health specialists on the operation of
environmental probe thermometers. In the interest of time, the manager omits a training
section on safe sheathing of the thermometer, and subsequently an environmental health
specialist punctures their finger and injures themselves. This is an example of
a) malfeasance
,b) misfeasance
c) nonfeasance
d) exclusionary rule correct answers c) nonfeasance
An environmental health specialist informs vector control staff to perform "landing counts"
on their skin in a known mosquito breeding ground which is confirmed to be positive with
West Nile virus. This is an example of
a) malfeasance
b) misfeasance
c) nonfeasance
d) exclusionary rule correct answers b) misfeasance
Vehicleborne, vectorborne, or airborne are all examples of:
a) indirect mode of transmission
b) direct mode of transmission
c) hosts
d) life cycle sequences correct answers a) indirect mode of transmission
An employer is held liable for the torts of its employees committed within the scope of their
employment. This is referred to as:
a) respondeat superior
b) parens patriae
c) substituted judgement
d) corporate privilege correct answers a) respondeat superior
Performance of an authorized act in an unauthorized manner is called
a) nonfeasance
b) misfeasance
c) malfeasance
d) disfeasance correct answers b) misfeasance
An action authorized by law to restrict or prevent the movement of goods for the protection
of public health, safety and welfare is called an order of
a) injunction
b) withholding
c) embargo
d) seizure correct answers c) embargo
What is the federal agency that regulates food additives?
a) CDC
b) Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
c) Department of Agriculture
d) Food and Drug Administration correct answers d) Food and Drug Administration
When a legal action is being prepared, one of the first steps a sanitarian should take is to:
a) obtain a warrant
b) obtain a court order
c) keep accurate records
d) check with other agencies correct answers c) keep accurate records
, How is the term "contamination" defined when used in connection with a communicable
disease?
a) infection of an individual or animal with pathogenic organisms
b) presence of pathogenic agents on a surface, article, or substance
c) transfer of a vector, regardless of time or the nature of the host
d) contact between two or more sources of infection correct answers b) presence of
pathogenic agents on a surface, article, or substance
What is the most common contributing factor to foodborne illness?
a) insect and rodent infestations
b) dirty equipment
c) incorrect labeling of containers
d) improper holding temperatures correct answers d) improper holding temperatures
Why are some foods classified as time/temperature control for safety?
a) they have a pH below 4.2
b) they have a water activity below 0.85
c) they support rapid growth of pathogenic microorganisms
d) they require rapid and thorough cooking correct answers c) they support rapid growth of
pathogenic microorganisms
Which food does not require refrigeration at 41F (5C)?
a) open container of garlic in oil
b) tofu
c) sliced/cut cantaloupe
d) UHT creamers correct answers d) UHT creamers
What is the best means of inhibiting the growth of microorganisms in fresh meat?
a) topical use of approved hypochlorite solutions
b) exposure to ultraviolet light for 30 minutes
c) chemical preservatives
d) adequate refrigeration and cleanliness correct answers d) adequate refrigeration and
cleanliness
What is the maximum accumulated time that time/temperature control for safety food can
safely be exposed to the temperature danger zone?
a) 2 hours
b) 4 hours
c) 6 hours
d) 8 hours correct answers c) 6 hours
If time only is used as a public health control, the maximum period of time recommended by
the FDA for time/temperature control for safety food to be held is:
a) 2 hours
b) 4 hours if the warmest part of the food item does not exceed 120F
c) 6 hours if the warmest part of the food item does not exceed 70F
d) this public health control is never permitted correct answers c) 6 hours if the warmest part
of the food item does not exceed 70F
