Environmental 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.

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PSM · Environmental health

Sample item

What is the safest public-health response to a suspected waterborne outbreak?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Provide safe water while investigating source

When waterborne risk is credible, prompt safe-water measures and clear communication can reduce ongoing exposure while environmental and microbiological investigation proceeds.

Option by option

  • A. Stop hand hygiene messaging

    Hand hygiene remains useful.

  • B. Add flavouring to water

    Flavouring does not disinfect water.

  • C. Wait for all cultures before advising public

    Waiting can allow preventable disease.

  • D. Provide safe water while investigating source (correct)

    Correct: immediate exposure reduction is protective.

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 D, Provide safe water while investigating source. When waterborne risk is credible, prompt safe-water measures and clear communication can reduce ongoing exposure while environmental and microbiological investigation proceeds.

Why is "Stop hand hygiene messaging" not the answer?

Hand hygiene remains useful.

Why is "Add flavouring to water" not the answer?

Flavouring does not disinfect water.

Why is "Wait for all cultures before advising public" not the answer?

Waiting can allow preventable disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Environmental health in PSM. The correct option holds because: Correct: immediate exposure reduction is protective.

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 Environmental 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.