Communicable disease control: 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 control

Sample item

What is an index case in contact tracing?

ALast recovered patientBPerson providing laboratory reagentCEvery asymptomatic contactDFirst identified case triggering investigation

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. First identified case triggering investigation

The index case is the initially recognized case that prompts public-health investigation and contact tracing, though it may not be the first infected person.

Option by option

A. Last recovered patient
Recovery order does not define index case.
B. Person providing laboratory reagent
Laboratory staff are not index cases.
C. Every asymptomatic contact
Contacts are assessed separately.
D. First identified case triggering investigation (correct)
Correct: it initiates the investigation.

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, First identified case triggering investigation. The index case is the initially recognized case that prompts public-health investigation and contact tracing, though it may not be the first infected person.

Why is "Last recovered patient" not the answer?

Recovery order does not define index case.

Why is "Person providing laboratory reagent" not the answer?

Laboratory staff are not index cases.

Why is "Every asymptomatic contact" not the answer?

Contacts are assessed separately.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable disease control in PSM. The correct option holds because: Correct: it initiates the investigation.

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 control?

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.