Environmental health: 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 · Environmental health

Sample item

What household method reliably disinfects microbiologically unsafe drinking water in emergencies?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Boiling

Boiling water for the recommended duration kills many enteric pathogens and is a reliable household emergency measure when safer supply is unavailable.

Option by option

  • A. Leaving uncovered

    Leaving water uncovered increases contamination risk.

  • B. Boiling (correct)

    Correct: boiling effectively reduces many waterborne pathogens.

  • C. Cooling overnight

    Cooling overnight does not kill pathogens.

  • D. Adding sugar

    Sugar does not disinfect contaminated water.

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 B, Boiling. Boiling water for the recommended duration kills many enteric pathogens and is a reliable household emergency measure when safer supply is unavailable.

Why is "Leaving uncovered" not the answer?

Leaving water uncovered increases contamination risk.

Why is "Cooling overnight" not the answer?

Cooling overnight does not kill pathogens.

Why is "Adding sugar" not the answer?

Sugar does not disinfect contaminated water.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Environmental health in PSM. The correct option holds because: Correct: boiling effectively reduces many waterborne pathogens.

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 Environmental health?

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.