Air pollution: National Air Quality Index: 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 · Air pollution: National Air Quality Index

Sample item

A city records an Air Quality Index of 320 on India's National Air Quality Index scale. Which category does this fall in?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Very poor

The National AQI categories are good (0 to 50), satisfactory (51 to 100), moderate (101 to 200), poor (201 to 300), very poor (301 to 400) and severe (401 to 500). A value of 320 is very poor, where prolonged exposure may cause respiratory illness.

Option by option

  • A. Very poor (correct)

    Correct. Values of 301 to 400 are classed as very poor.

  • B. Poor

    Poor covers 201 to 300, which is lower than 320.

  • C. Severe

    Severe is for values above 400.

  • D. Moderate

    Moderate covers 101 to 200, well below 320.

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.

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Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is A, Very poor. The National AQI categories are good (0 to 50), satisfactory (51 to 100), moderate (101 to 200), poor (201 to 300), very poor (301 to 400) and severe (401 to 500).

Why is "Poor" not the answer?

Poor covers 201 to 300, which is lower than 320.

Why is "Severe" not the answer?

Severe is for values above 400.

Why is "Moderate" not the answer?

Moderate covers 101 to 200, well below 320.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Air pollution: National Air Quality Index in PSM. A value of 320 is very poor, where prolonged exposure may cause respiratory illness.

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 Air pollution: National Air Quality Index?

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.