Epidemiology: 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.

Try it

PSM · Epidemiology

Sample item

What does point prevalence describe?

AChance that a test is positive in healthy peopleBNumber of new infections next yearCProportion of a population with a condition at a specific timeDTotal years of life lost only

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Proportion of a population with a condition at a specific time

Point prevalence is the proportion of people in a defined population who have a condition at a particular point in time, combining both recently and previously diagnosed cases.

Option by option

A. Chance that a test is positive in healthy people
Positive tests in healthy people relate to false-positive rate.
B. Number of new infections next year
Future new infections concern incidence.
C. Proportion of a population with a condition at a specific time (correct)
Correct: point prevalence counts all current cases at a defined moment.
D. Total years of life lost only
Years of life lost are part of burden-of-disease measures.

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.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is C, Proportion of a population with a condition at a specific time. Point prevalence is the proportion of people in a defined population who have a condition at a particular point in time, combining both recently and previously diagnosed cases.

Why is "Chance that a test is positive in healthy people" not the answer?

Positive tests in healthy people relate to false-positive rate.

Why is "Number of new infections next year" not the answer?

Future new infections concern incidence.

Why is "Total years of life lost only" not the answer?

Years of life lost are part of burden-of-disease measures.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Epidemiology in PSM. The correct option holds because: Correct: point prevalence counts all current cases at a defined moment.

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 Epidemiology?

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.