Communicable disease: chain of infection: 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 · Communicable disease: chain of infection

Sample item

Which intervention most directly interrupts airborne transmission of an infectious pathogen in a crowded indoor setting?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Improving ventilation and using appropriate respiratory protection

Ventilation reduces concentration of infectious aerosols indoors, and respiratory protection can reduce inhalation and emission. Control measures should be matched to the mode of transmission.

Option by option

  • A. Improving ventilation and using appropriate respiratory protection (correct)

    Correct. These measures directly reduce airborne exposure.

  • B. Adding sugar to drinking water

    Sugar in water does not interrupt respiratory transmission.

  • C. Increasing dietary fat intake

    Dietary fat does not control an airborne outbreak.

  • D. Routine deworming alone

    Deworming targets parasitic infections, not airborne spread.

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, Improving ventilation and using appropriate respiratory protection. Ventilation reduces concentration of infectious aerosols indoors, and respiratory protection can reduce inhalation and emission.

Why is "Adding sugar to drinking water" not the answer?

Sugar in water does not interrupt respiratory transmission.

Why is "Increasing dietary fat intake" not the answer?

Dietary fat does not control an airborne outbreak.

Why is "Routine deworming alone" not the answer?

Deworming targets parasitic infections, not airborne spread.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable disease: chain of infection in PSM. Control measures should be matched to the mode of transmission.

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 Communicable disease: chain of infection?

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.