Levels of prevention: specific protection: 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 · Levels of prevention: specific protection

Sample item

A municipality adds fluoride to its piped water supply to reduce dental caries. In the Leavell and Clark scheme this measure is an example of:

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Specific protection

Specific protection is a primary prevention measure aimed at a particular disease, for example vaccination, fluoridation and use of helmets. Health promotion is non-specific, such as nutrition education. Early diagnosis and rehabilitation belong to secondary and tertiary prevention.

Option by option

  • A. Health promotion

    Health promotion consists of non-specific measures such as health education and good nutrition.

  • B. Specific protection (correct)

    Correct. Fluoridation protects against one specific condition, dental caries.

  • C. Early diagnosis and treatment

    Early diagnosis and treatment is secondary prevention applied once disease has begun.

  • D. Rehabilitation

    Rehabilitation restores function after disease, which is tertiary prevention.

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, Specific protection. Specific protection is a primary prevention measure aimed at a particular disease, for example vaccination, fluoridation and use of helmets.

Why is "Health promotion" not the answer?

Health promotion consists of non-specific measures such as health education and good nutrition.

Why is "Early diagnosis and treatment" not the answer?

Early diagnosis and treatment is secondary prevention applied once disease has begun.

Why is "Rehabilitation" not the answer?

Rehabilitation restores function after disease, which is tertiary prevention.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Levels of prevention: specific protection in PSM. Health promotion is non-specific, such as nutrition education. Early diagnosis and rehabilitation belong to secondary and tertiary prevention.

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 Levels of prevention: specific protection?

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.