Occupational 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.

Try it

PSM · Occupational health

Sample item

Which preventive hierarchy is most effective for reducing workplace exposure to a hazardous chemical?

AGive a health lecture without changing exposureBRely only on personal protective equipmentCWait for workers to become illDEliminate or substitute the hazard where feasible

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Eliminate or substitute the hazard where feasible

The hierarchy of controls prioritizes elimination and substitution over engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. PPE is important but depends on correct and consistent use.

Option by option

A. Give a health lecture without changing exposure
Education alone does not remove exposure.
B. Rely only on personal protective equipment
PPE is lower in the control hierarchy and should not be the only strategy when better controls exist.
C. Wait for workers to become ill
Waiting for illness is not prevention.
D. Eliminate or substitute the hazard where feasible (correct)
Correct. Removing the hazard is more reliable than protecting each worker from it.

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 D, Eliminate or substitute the hazard where feasible. The hierarchy of controls prioritizes elimination and substitution over engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment.

Why is "Give a health lecture without changing exposure" not the answer?

Education alone does not remove exposure.

Why is "Rely only on personal protective equipment" not the answer?

PPE is lower in the control hierarchy and should not be the only strategy when better controls exist.

Why is "Wait for workers to become ill" not the answer?

Waiting for illness is not prevention.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Occupational health in PSM. PPE is important but depends on correct and consistent use.

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 Occupational 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.