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

A community water supply has a fluoride concentration well above the recommended level, and children show chalky white to brown mottled teeth. Which is the most appropriate public health measure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Defluoridation of water or an alternative low-fluoride source

Dental fluorosis results from excess fluoride during tooth development. Control involves providing alternative sources or defluoridation, for example by the Nalgonda technique using alum and lime. Boiling concentrates fluoride and chlorination has no effect on it.

Option by option

  • A. Boiling the water at home

    Boiling evaporates water and raises the fluoride concentration.

  • B. Defluoridation of water or an alternative low-fluoride source (correct)

    Correct. Reducing the fluoride content or changing the source is the remedy.

  • C. Giving fluoride tablets to children

    Fluoride supplements would worsen fluorosis.

  • D. Chlorination of water

    Chlorination disinfects water and does not remove fluoride.

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 B, Defluoridation of water or an alternative low-fluoride source. Dental fluorosis results from excess fluoride during tooth development.

Why is "Boiling the water at home" not the answer?

Boiling evaporates water and raises the fluoride concentration.

Why is "Giving fluoride tablets to children" not the answer?

Fluoride supplements would worsen fluorosis.

Why is "Chlorination of water" not the answer?

Chlorination disinfects water and does not remove fluoride.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Environmental health in PSM. Control involves providing alternative sources or defluoridation, for example by the Nalgonda technique using alum and lime. Boiling concentrates fluoride and chlorination has no effect on it.

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.