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.

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PSM · Epidemiology

Sample item

Why can a disease have high prevalence despite low incidence?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. People live with the disease for a long time

Prevalence reflects both new case occurrence and duration. Chronic diseases can remain prevalent when affected people survive for long periods.

Option by option

  • A. Every new case is immediately cured

    Immediate cure would generally reduce prevalence.

  • B. People live with the disease for a long time (correct)

    Correct: long duration accumulates existing cases in the population.

  • C. The population has no existing cases

    No existing cases would mean low prevalence.

  • D. Case duration has no effect on prevalence

    Case duration is a key determinant of prevalence.

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, People live with the disease for a long time. Prevalence reflects both new case occurrence and duration.

Why is "Every new case is immediately cured" not the answer?

Immediate cure would generally reduce prevalence.

Why is "The population has no existing cases" not the answer?

No existing cases would mean low prevalence.

Why is "Case duration has no effect on prevalence" not the answer?

Case duration is a key determinant of prevalence.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Epidemiology in PSM. Chronic diseases can remain prevalent when affected people survive for long periods.

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.