Environmental health: poor illumination and miner's nystagmus: 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.

Try it

PSM · Environmental health: poor illumination and miner's nystagmus

Sample item

A coal miner who has worked for years in poorly lit underground workings develops involuntary oscillating eye movements, with headache and glare sensitivity. Which occupational condition is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Miner's nystagmus

Prolonged work in poor illumination can impair visual function and produce nystagmus in miners. Good lighting, avoidance of glare and regular eye examination reduce eye strain and accidents in the workplace.

Option by option

  • A. Miner's nystagmus (correct)

    Correct. Poor illumination underground leads to miner's nystagmus.

  • B. Pneumoconiosis

    Pneumoconiosis follows dust inhalation and affects the lungs, not the eye movements.

  • C. Noise-induced hearing loss

    Noise-induced hearing loss affects the ear and not the eye.

  • D. Caisson disease

    Caisson disease results from decompression and causes joint pain and neurological problems.

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, Miner's nystagmus. Prolonged work in poor illumination can impair visual function and produce nystagmus in miners.

Why is "Pneumoconiosis" not the answer?

Pneumoconiosis follows dust inhalation and affects the lungs, not the eye movements.

Why is "Noise-induced hearing loss" not the answer?

Noise-induced hearing loss affects the ear and not the eye.

Why is "Caisson disease" not the answer?

Caisson disease results from decompression and causes joint pain and neurological problems.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Environmental health: poor illumination and miner's nystagmus in PSM. Good lighting, avoidance of glare and regular eye examination reduce eye strain and accidents in the workplace.

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 Environmental health: poor illumination and miner's nystagmus?

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.