Nutrition: iodine deficiency disorders: 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 · Nutrition: iodine deficiency disorders

Sample item

A survey of school children aged 6 to 12 years in a sub-Himalayan district finds visible or palpable goitre in 8%. What is the correct interpretation?

ANot a public health problem, because the threshold is 10%BA public health problem of severe severityCA public health problem of mild severityDA public health problem of moderate severity

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. A public health problem of mild severity

A total goitre rate of 5% or more in school-age children signals that iodine deficiency is a public health problem. The severity is graded as mild at 5.0 to 19.9%, moderate at 20.0 to 29.9% and severe at 30% or more. The sub-Himalayan belt is a classical endemic area, and universal salt iodisation is the main control strategy.

Option by option

A. Not a public health problem, because the threshold is 10%
The threshold is 5%, not 10%, so a rate of 8% already indicates a problem.
B. A public health problem of severe severity
The severe category starts at 30%, which is far above 8%.
C. A public health problem of mild severity (correct)
Correct. A rate of 5% or more defines a public health problem, and 8% is in the mild band of 5.0 to 19.9%.
D. A public health problem of moderate severity
The moderate category starts at 20.0%, which is well above 8%.

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.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is C, A public health problem of mild severity. A total goitre rate of 5% or more in school-age children signals that iodine deficiency is a public health problem.

Why is "Not a public health problem, because the threshold is 10%" not the answer?

The threshold is 5%, not 10%, so a rate of 8% already indicates a problem.

Why is "A public health problem of severe severity" not the answer?

The severe category starts at 30%, which is far above 8%.

Why is "A public health problem of moderate severity" not the answer?

The moderate category starts at 20.0%, which is well above 8%.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: iodine deficiency disorders in PSM. The severity is graded as mild at 5.0 to 19.9%, moderate at 20.0 to 29.9% and severe at 30% or more. The sub-Himalayan belt is a classical endemic area, and universal salt iodisation is the main control strategy.

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 Nutrition: iodine deficiency disorders?

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.