Screening: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Screening

Sample item

What property is especially useful for ruling out disease after a negative test?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. High sensitivity

A highly sensitive test has few false negatives, so a negative result makes disease less likely when the test is appropriately applied.

Option by option

  • A. High sensitivity (correct)

    Correct: high sensitivity supports confidence in a negative result.

  • B. Low prevalence

    Prevalence affects predictive values, not sensitivity itself.

  • C. High specificity

    High specificity is more useful for confirming a positive result.

  • D. High false-positive rate

    High false-positive rate reduces test usefulness.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is A, High sensitivity. A highly sensitive test has few false negatives, so a negative result makes disease less likely when the test is appropriately applied.

Why is "Low prevalence" not the answer?

Prevalence affects predictive values, not sensitivity itself.

Why is "High specificity" not the answer?

High specificity is more useful for confirming a positive result.

Why is "High false-positive rate" not the answer?

High false-positive rate reduces test usefulness.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Screening in PSM. The correct option holds because: Correct: high sensitivity supports confidence in a negative result.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Screening?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.