Epidemiology: proportional mortality rate: 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 · Epidemiology: proportional mortality rate

Sample item

In a town 2000 deaths occurred in a year, of which 400 were due to road traffic injuries. The figure of 20% obtained by dividing 400 by 2000 is the:

AStandardised mortality ratioBCase fatality rateCProportional mortality rateDCause-specific death rate

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Proportional mortality rate

Proportional mortality is the number of deaths from a specific cause expressed as a percentage of all deaths. It shows the share of the death toll due to the cause and not the risk in the population. A cause-specific death rate would use the population at risk as denominator.

Option by option

A. Standardised mortality ratio
A standardised mortality ratio compares observed with expected deaths using a standard population.
B. Case fatality rate
Case fatality rate divides deaths by the number of people with the disease.
C. Proportional mortality rate (correct)
Correct. Deaths from one cause divided by total deaths is proportional mortality.
D. Cause-specific death rate
A cause-specific death rate divides by the mid-year population, not by total deaths.

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, Proportional mortality rate. Proportional mortality is the number of deaths from a specific cause expressed as a percentage of all deaths.

Why is "Standardised mortality ratio" not the answer?

A standardised mortality ratio compares observed with expected deaths using a standard population.

Why is "Case fatality rate" not the answer?

Case fatality rate divides deaths by the number of people with the disease.

Why is "Cause-specific death rate" not the answer?

A cause-specific death rate divides by the mid-year population, not by total deaths.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Epidemiology: proportional mortality rate in PSM. It shows the share of the death toll due to the cause and not the risk in the population. A cause-specific death rate would use the population at risk as denominator.

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 Epidemiology: proportional mortality rate?

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.