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 does biological oxygen demand indicate in water assessment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Amount of oxygen microbes need to degrade organic matter

Biological oxygen demand estimates biodegradable organic pollution; high BOD can deplete dissolved oxygen and harm aquatic ecosystems.

Option by option

  • A. Amount of oxygen microbes need to degrade organic matter (correct)

    Correct: microbial oxygen use reflects organic load.

  • B. Number of hospital admissions

    Admissions are health-service data.

  • C. Atmospheric ozone level

    Ozone is atmospheric pollutant.

  • D. Concentration of fluoride only

    Fluoride requires separate measurement.

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, Amount of oxygen microbes need to degrade organic matter. Biological oxygen demand estimates biodegradable organic pollution; high BOD can deplete dissolved oxygen and harm aquatic ecosystems.

Why is "Number of hospital admissions" not the answer?

Admissions are health-service data.

Why is "Atmospheric ozone level" not the answer?

Ozone is atmospheric pollutant.

Why is "Concentration of fluoride only" not the answer?

Fluoride requires separate measurement.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Environmental health in PSM. The correct option holds because: Correct: microbial oxygen use reflects organic load.

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.