National programmes: population-based NCD screening: 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 · National programmes: population-based NCD screening

Sample item

An ASHA is enumerating a village for the population-based screening of hypertension, diabetes and common cancers under the national NCD programme. Which persons are targeted for screening?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Everyone aged 30 years and above

The national programme for prevention and control of NCDs includes a population-based initiative to screen people aged 30 years and above for hypertension, diabetes, and oral, breast and cervical cancers. The ASHA fills a community-based assessment checklist, and those at risk are screened at health and wellness centres. Cancer screening is directed at the relevant sex and age groups.

Option by option

  • A. Everyone aged 30 years and above (correct)

    Correct. The target group is every person aged 30 years and above.

  • B. Everyone aged 40 years and above

    40 years would miss many people at risk and is not the programme threshold.

  • C. Everyone aged 60 years and above

    60 years is the age used for the elderly care programme.

  • D. Everyone aged 18 years and above

    18 years is the age for the adult voting roll and for some risk scoring, and is not the screening threshold.

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, Everyone aged 30 years and above. The national programme for prevention and control of NCDs includes a population-based initiative to screen people aged 30 years and above for hypertension, diabetes, and oral, breast and cervical cancers.

Why is "Everyone aged 40 years and above" not the answer?

40 years would miss many people at risk and is not the programme threshold.

Why is "Everyone aged 60 years and above" not the answer?

60 years is the age used for the elderly care programme.

Why is "Everyone aged 18 years and above" not the answer?

18 years is the age for the adult voting roll and for some risk scoring, and is not the screening threshold.

What concept does this question test?

It tests National programmes: population-based NCD screening in PSM. The ASHA fills a community-based assessment checklist, and those at risk are screened at health and wellness centres. Cancer screening is directed at the relevant sex and age groups.

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 National programmes: population-based NCD screening?

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.