Epidemiology Quiz

Match each type of epidemiology study with its description. 1. experimental 2. analytical 3. prospective 4. descriptive 5. retrospective A. a comparison of a cohort of individuals through the course of the study B.use of a set of test subjects (human or animal) and control subjects that are treated the same as the test subjects except for the specific treatment being studied C. observing groups of individuals to look for associations with disease D. examination of past case histories and medical test results conducted on patients in an outbreak E.examination of current case histories, interviews with patients and their contacts, interpretation of medical test results; frequently conducted while outbreak is still in progress

1. B.use of a set of test subjects (human or animal) and control subjects that are treated the same as the test subjects except for the specific treatment being studied 2. C. observing groups of individuals to look for associations with disease 3. A. a comparison of a cohort of individuals through the course of the study 4. E.examination of current case histories, interviews with patients and their contacts, interpretation of medical test results; frequently conducted while outbreak is still in progress 5. D. examination of past case histories and medical test results conducted on patients in an outbreak

Match the outbreak to its proper description: 1. endemic 2. epidemic 3. pandemic 4. sporadic A. a disease increases in frequency worldwide B. a disease produces more cases than expected within a short time in a localized area. C. a disease occurs relatively rarely, without a geographic focus D. a disease occurs at a relatively constant and often low level within a population.

1. D. a disease occurs at a relatively constant and often low level within a population. 2.B. a disease produces more cases than expected within a short time in a localized area. 3. A. a disease increases in frequency worldwide 4. C. a disease occurs relatively rarely, without a geographic focus

Match the type of spread to the best description: 1. common-source spread 2. continuous-source spread 3. intermittent-source spread 4. point-source spread 5. propagated spread A. occurs through direct or indirect person-to-person contact B. transmitted from a common source that operates sporadically C. transmitted from a common source that operates for longer than the incubation time for a pathogen D. transmitted from a common source that operates less than the incubation time of a pathogen E. transmitted from a single source to all individuals infected

1. E. transmitted from a single source to all individuals infected 2. C. transmitted from a common source that operates for longer than the incubation time for a pathogen 3. B. transmitted from a common source that operates sporadically 4. D. transmitted from a common source that operates less than the incubation time of a pathogen 5. A. occurs through direct or indirect person-to-person contact

The tsetse fly transmits which disease? A. African sleeping sickness B. leishmaniasis C. malaria D. typhus

A. African sleeping sickness

Which agency monitors notifiable diseases in the United States? A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention B. Environmental Protection Agency C. Food and Drug Administration D. Homeland Security

A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

How long does rhinovirus survive outside physiological fluids? A. Less than a day B. Up to 48 hours C. Up to 72 hours D. Up to 1 week

A. Less than a day

International public health issues are coordinated by the _____, an agency of the United Nations. A. WHO B. PSOW C. NIH D. CDC

A. WHO

Tuberculosis is typically transmitted via which of the following? A. air B. food C. sexual activity D. water

A. air

Mary Mallon, aka Typhoid Mary, was which type of carrier? A. asymptomatic B. passive C. transient D. zoonotic

A. asymptomatic

Koch's postulates are an example of A. experimental epidemiology B. prospective epidemiology C. retrospective epidemiology D. descriptive epidemiology

A. experimental epidemiology

A blanket from a child with chickenpox is likely to be contaminated with the virus that causes chickenpox (Varicella-zoster virus). What is the blanket called? A. fomite B. host C. pathogen D. vector

A. fomite

The first epidemiologist who studied the cholera outbreak in London was A. Jonas Salk B. Alexander Flemming C. John Snow D. Robert Koch

C. John Snow

Which of the following factors can lead to reemergence of a disease? A. A mutation that allows it to infect humans. B. A period of decline in vaccination rates. C. A change in disease reporting procedures. D. Better education on the signs and symptoms of the disease.

B. A period of decline in vaccination rates.

SARS first occurred in _____, before becoming a(n) _____ disease. Choose the correct pair from the following: A. China, endemic B. China, pandemic C. Ireland, endemic D. Ireland, pandemic

B. China, pandemic

Why are emerging diseases with very few cases the focus of intense scrutiny? A. They tend to be more deadly. B. They are increasing and therefore not controlled. C. They naturally have higher transmission rates. D. They occur more in developed countries.

B. They are increasing and therefore not controlled.

A mosquito bites a person who subsequently develops a fever and abdominal rash. What type of transmission would this be? A. mechanical vector transmission B. biological vector transmission C. direct contact transmission D. vehicle transmission

B. biological vector transmission

The pathogenic cause of disease is called the _____ agent. A. mortality B. etiological C. prevalence D. none of the above

B. etiological

Which term refers to the study of the cause of disease? A. epidemiology B. etiology C. morbidology D. pathology

B. etiology

Sexually transmitted diseases between sexually active partners are most commonly transmitted by which method? A. fomites B. horizontal direct contact C. vehicles D. vertical direct contact

B. horizontal direct contact

Which of the following most specifically describes a notifiable disease? A. any disease that is highly infectious B. any disease with a high LD C. any disease caused by a prion D. any disease of public health importance

D. any disease of public health importance

You wish to determine if a new drug can cure individuals with colds caused by rhinoviruses. You invite 50 individuals to participate in the study. Using a double-blind approach, 25 individuals get a sugar pill and 25 get the test drug. Based on this description, which type of study was conducted? A. case-control B. cohort method C. cross-sectional D. experimental

D. experimental

Tetanus, which is caused by Clostridium tetani, is an example of which type of disease? A. endemic B. epidemic C. pandemic D. sporadic

D. sporadic

Reservoirs of human disease can include A. the human population B. animal populations C. soil D. water E. inanimate objects F. all of the above

F. all of the above

All etiologic agents are pathogens. True False

False

An individual with human papillomavirus (HPV) who has genital warts can transmit HPV to their partner via kissing on the lips. True False

False

Etiology is the study of the transmission of disease. True False

False

The WHO only monitors the prevalence of infectious diseases around the world. True False

False

In the 1800s, nosocomial diseases were prevalent. True False

True

Lyme disease is more prevalent in the northern hemisphere. True False

True

The prevalence of HIV is generally higher than its incidence. True False

True