epidemiology questions
Those diseases and infections that are transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans are referred to as____________________.
zoonoses
The attack rate is associated with which of the following? Cumulative incidence Incidence density Cases of disease occurring over and extended period of time Person-years
Cumulative incidence
True or False. Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare prescription drug plans offer the same coverage nationwide. Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plans vary by state.
False
True or False. You can enroll in Medicare without penalty anytime after you turn 65.
False
True or False: Original Medicare covers routine dental, hearing, and vision care.
False
True or False? Descriptive epidemiology involves identifying and quantifying associations, testing hypotheses, and identifying causes of health-related states or events.
False
True or False? Epidemiology involves studying only infectious communicable disease, not events like injury, obesity, mental health disorders, seat belt use, etc.
False
Which of the following are examples of primary research (select all that apply)? Focus Groups In-depth Interviews Survey research Data from County Health Rankings
Focus Groups In-depth Interviews Survey research
Infectious disease is best defined as: harmful development in a microscopic organism. alteration of the organism's normal functioning. disease caused by an invading pathogen. body not capable of carrying on its normal functions.
disease caused by an invading pathogen.
In a case-control study, one can calculate either a risk ratio or an odds ratio. True False
false
Humans can serve as all of the following, EXCEPT: -fomites -reservoirs -Hosts -Humans cannot serve as any of these
fomites
Epidemiology originally involved the study of what type of disease? Infectious Noninfectious Both of these are correct.
infectious
What is AHRQ? lead Federal agency charged with improving the safety and quality of America's health care system System that is legally responsible for the registration of births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and fetal deaths. Annual Survey that is designed to assess the health of adults and children in the United States Principal agency which provides statistical information to guide actions and policies to improve the public health of the American people
lead Federal agency charged with improving the safety and quality of America's health care system
The __________ is defined as the effect on patient outcomes that may occur due to the expectation by a patient that a particular intervention will have an effect. interviewer effect recall effect selection effect placebo effect
placebo effect
Public health surveillance includes all of the following, EXCEPT: -public health action -systematic collection of data -analysis of data -interpretation and dissemination of data -All of these are included in public health surveillance
public health action
What are secular trends? usually brief, unexpected increases in health-related states or events represent long-term changes in health-related states or events represent periodic increases and decreases in the occurrence of health-related states or events None of the above
represent long-term changes in health-related states or events
Herd immunity is When animals cannot transmit a disease because they are immune resistance a population has to the invasion and spread of an infectious disease only requires approximately 40% of the population to be immune all of the above
resistance a population has to the invasion and spread of an infectious disease
An advantage of using hospital-based controls is that they are more likely to cooperate and are likely to remember past exposures with the same accuracy as the cases. True False
true
The primary principle to be followed in identifying an appropriate control group is that controls should be a sample of the population that gave rise to the cases, and if a member of the control group had had the disease being studied, they would have been identified as a potential case for the study. True False
true
Which of the following best defines a fomite? -Clothing -Fly -Habitat -Time
Clothing
Which of the following is not a descriptive study design? Ecological study Case report/case series Cohort Cross-sectional
Cohort
Researchers use matching to control for what in a research study? Chance Bias Confounding None of the above
Confounding
Researchers use regression analysis to control for what in a research study? Chance Bias Confounding None of the above
Confounding
Researchers use restriction to control for what in a research study? Chance Bias Confounding None of the above
Confounding
Researchers use stratification to control for what in a research study? Chance Bias Confounding None of the above
Confounding
Which of the following study designs provides a useful way to obtain prevalence data? Ecological study Case report/case series Cohort Cross-sectional
Cross-sectional
We sometimes classify epidemics by how they spread through a population. Which of the following is NOT an example of a point source epidemic? -Hepatitis B contracted through contaminated water consumed after a football practice -Salmonella poisoning contracted by a group of family and friends from grandma's potato salad -Influenza -All of these are examples of point source epidemics
Influenza
How well the researchers performed the study is what? Internal Validity External Validity
Internal Validity
Suppose that, in a given region, 20% of its population is younger than 15 and 10% is older than 65 years of age. What would the dependency ratio be? 35 46 50 43
43
How do we prevent bias in an experimental trial? Blinding Randomization Regression Analysis A and B B and C Restriction
A and B
How does a proportion differ from a rate? The numerator is not contained in the denominator for a rate The numerator is not contained in the denominator for a proportion. A rate is a proportion with the added dimension of time. Proportions and rates are the same.
A rate is a proportion with the added dimension of time.
An age-adjusted rate is a weighted average of which of the following? Age-specific rates Point Prevalence proportion Attack rates None of the above
Age-specific rates
Describing health-related states or events by person, place, and time allows us to do all of the following, EXCEPT: identify the extent of the public health problem. describe the public health problem in a way that can be communicated easily. identify who is at greatest risk. provide clues as to the causes of disease. All of these are can be done when describing health-related states or events by person, place, and time.
All of these are can be done when describing health-related states or events by person, place, and time.
Epidemiology includes the study of which of the following? Human Behavior Accidents Disease All of these are correct
All of these are correct
The definition of epidemiology includes all of the following, EXCEPT: -study of determinants -study of disease frequency -study of disease patterns -health-related states or events -All of these are included in the definition of epidemiology
All of these are included in the definition of epidemiology
A description of communicable disease prevention and control may include all of the following, EXCEPT: remove, eliminate, or contain the cause or source of infection disrupt and block the chain of disease transmission. protect the susceptible population against infection and disease. All of these could be part of a description of communicable disease prevention and control.
All of these could be part of a description of communicable disease prevention and control.
What is NHANES? lead Federal agency charged with improving the safety and quality of America's health care system System that is legally responsible for the registration of births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and fetal deaths. Annual Survey that is designed to assess the health of adults and children in the United States Principal agency which provides statistical information to guide actions and policies to improve the public health of the American people
Annual Survey that is designed to assess the health of adults and children in the United States
Researchers use blinding to control for what in a research study? Chance Bias Confounding None of the above
Bias
Assuming that you have found a relationship between two variables. If their relationship is not causal, what are the possible alternative explanations? Confounding Interference Bias Chance
Bias Chance Confounding
What effect does randomization in a large intervention study have? Minimizes bias in the observation of outcomes of interest Minimizes potential bias in the allocation of participants to treatment group Both A and B are correct. Neither A nor B is correct.
Both A and B are correct.
Which of the following are secondary research (select all that apply)? In-depth interview Data from County Health Rankings Survey Focus Groups
Data from County Health Rankings
Which of the following is are legitimate sources of cases for a case-control study? (select all that apply) Disease registries, e.g. cancer registries. Hospitals. Members of the general population responding to an advertisement seeking subjects with a particular condition. Patients at an outpatient clinic.
Disease registries, e.g. cancer registries. Hospitals. Members of the general population responding to an advertisement seeking subjects with a particular condition. Patients at an outpatient clinic.
Reportable diseases are: Diseases that each state requires physicians and laboratories to report Diseases that the CDC requests the state department of health to report to the CDC Diseases that the CDC requires each state to report to the CDC Diseases that physicians must report to the hospital administration
Diseases that each state requires physicians and laboratories to report
Notifiable diseases are: Diseases that each state requires physicians and laboratories to report Diseases that the CDC requests each state health department report to the CDC. Diseases that hospitals require physicians to report to administration Diseases that the CDC requires each state health department report to the CDC.
Diseases that the CDC requests each state health department report to the CDC.
What are the causal criteria suggested by Dr. Hooker? Strength of Effect Effect Size Consistency Specificity Temporality Exposure Dose Response Plausibility Likelihood Human Experimental Evidence Analogy
Effect Size Consistency Exposure Dose Response Plausibility Human Experimental Evidence
Which of the following is an example of active primary prevention? -Screening -Vitamin-fortified bread -Immunization -All of these are correct.
Immunization
How does the strategy for a case-control study differ from that of a cohortstudy? (Select the one best answer.) Case-control studies are retrospective, while cohort studies are always prospective. Randomization can be used in a cohort study, but can't be used in a case-control study. In case-control studies subjects are selected and grouped based ontheir disease status, but in cohort studies subjects are selected and grouped based on exposure status. The goal of cohort studies is to test an association, but case-control studies just document the frequency of risk factors.
In case-control studies subjects are selected and grouped based ontheir disease status, but in cohort studies subjects are selected and grouped based on exposure status.
Suppose a highly effective new drug is discovered for treating a form of rapidly fatal cancer. Which of the following rates would be least affected by the widespread use of this drug? Five-year survival rate for this type of cancer Prevalence proportion for this type of cancer Incidence rate for this type of cancer Mortality rate for this type of cancer
Incidence rate for this type of cancer
Which of the following is NOT a type of selection bias in cohort studies? Healthy worker effect Loss to follow-up Neyman bias All of these are types of selection bias in cohort studies.
Neyman bias
Most large employer health plans protect enrollees from extraordinarily high medical bills by placing an annual limit on out-of-pocket costs. Does the traditional Medicare program do this? Yes, traditional Medicare does include an out-of-pocket limit No, traditional Medicare does not include an out-of-pocket limit
No, traditional Medicare does not include an out-of-pocket limit
"Sex" reflects what type of data? Nominal Ordinal Discrete Continuous
Nominal
When is the period each year when people with Medicare can change their Medicare health and prescription drug plans? You can change anytime October 15-December 7 You can't change your plan after you first sign up
October 15-December 7
What share of the total Medicare population is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, such as a Medicare HMO or PPO, instead of the traditional Medicare program? One in 3 One in 4 One in 5 One in 6
One in 3
In the epidemiology triangle, the term agent is equivalent to which of the following? -Host -Pathogen -Environment -Field Investigator
Pathogen
A study was conducted in men aged 40-70 in order to determine whether exercising for 2 or more hours per week decreases the likelihood of a heart attack. The cases were 1,000 men who had recently had a heart attack; of these, 236 reported that they had regularly exercised for two or more hours per week prior to their heart attack. 1,000 controls were also selected for the study; of these, 379 reported that they exercised regularly. Calculate the magnitude of the association between regular exercise and heart attack. What does your calculation suggest? (Select one answer.) People who exercise regularly have about 0.5 times the risk of having a heart attack compared to people who don't exercise. People who exercise regularly have about 2.0 times the risk of having a heart attack compared to people who don't exercise. People who exercise regularly have about a 50% chance of having a heart attack.
People who exercise regularly have about 0.5 times the risk of having a heart attack compared to people who don't exercise.
What is NCHS? lead Federal agency charged with improving the safety and quality of America's health care system System that is legally responsible for the registration of births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and fetal deaths. Annual Survey that is designed to assess the health of adults and children in the United States Principal agency which provides statistical information to guide actions and policies to improve the public health of the American people
Principal agency which provides statistical information to guide actions and policies to improve the public health of the American people
What type of study is an "Investigation of the effectiveness of the poliomyelitis vaccine?" Therapeutic trial Prophylactic trial
Prophylactic trial
What is a Phase III study? The experimental drug or treatment is given to a few hundred people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety. Researchers test an experimental drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time. The researchers evaluate the treatment's safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects. A study to examine further uses and possible side effects of a drug already approved by the FDA Researchers confirm the drugs effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the experimental drug or treatment to be used safely.
Researchers confirm the drugs effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the experimental drug or treatment to be used safely.
What is a Phase 1 drug trial? The experimental drug or treatment is given to a few hundred people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety. Researchers test an experimental drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time. The researchers evaluate the treatment's safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects. Researchers confirm the drugs effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the experimental drug or treatment to be used safely. A study to examine further uses and possible side effects of a drug already approved by the FDA
Researchers test an experimental drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time. The researchers evaluate the treatment's safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
In a cohort study examining the association between smoking and laryngeal cancer, suppose the risk ratio = 17. How would you interpret this relative risk in words? There were 17 more cases of laryngeal cancer in the smokers. Smokers had 17% more laryngeal cancers compared to non-smokers. Smokers had 17 times the risk of laryngeal cancer compared to non-smokers. 17% of the laryngeal cancers in smokers were due to smoking
Smokers had 17 times the risk of laryngeal cancer compared to non-smokers.
Suppose a study looking at the association between smoking and bladder cancer found an odds ratio = 2.4. What would be the best way to interpret this? (Select one answer.) Smokers are 140 times as likely to develop bladder cancer compared to non-smokers. People with bladder cancer are about 40% more likely to be smokers compared to people who don't have bladder cancer. Smokers have a 2.4 % more risk of bladder cancer compared to nonsmokers. Smokers have 2.4 times the risk of developing bladder cancer compared to non-smokers.
Smokers have 2.4 times the risk of developing bladder cancer compared to non-smokers.
Which of the following stages is associated with the incubation period? Stage of susceptibility Stage of presymptomatic disease Stage of clinical disease Stage of recover, disability, or death
Stage of presymptomatic disease
What is NVSS? lead Federal agency charged with improving the safety and quality of America's health care system System that is legally responsible for the registration of births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and fetal deaths. Annual Survey that is designed to assess the health of adults and children in the United States Principal agency which provides statistical information to guide actions and policies to improve the public health of the American people
System that is legally responsible for the registration of births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and fetal deaths.
If the mean age of a group of people is 45 and the median age is 50, what do you know about the distribution of ages? The age distribution is skewed left. The age distribution is skewed right. The age distribution is symmetric. There is insufficient information to know how ages are distributed.
The age distribution is skewed left.
When considering if there is a causal relationship, what does effect size mean? The cause should proceed the effect The larger the effect, the more likely that the exposure is causing the disease. The more serious the cause, the larger the effect None of the above
The larger the effect, the more likely that the exposure is causing the disease.
What type of study is "Assessment of the effectiveness of radiation versus surgery in prostate cancer patients?" Therapeutic trial Prophylactic trial
Therapeutic trial
Which of the following are advantages to case-control studies? (Select all that apply). They tend to be less expensive and more efficient than prospective cohort studies. They are feasible for rare diseases. They allow you to study multiple outcomes of a single risk factor. They are good for diseases that have a long latency period (i.e., a long time between exposure and manifestation of disease).
They tend to be less expensive and more efficient than prospective cohort studies. They are feasible for rare diseases. They are good for diseases that have a long latency period (i.e., a long time between exposure and manifestation of disease).
What is the main reason why it is important to use precise, specific criteria for what constitutes a "case," i.e. in defining the outcome? To avoid misclassification with respect to the outcome. To limit the number of subjects in the study. To avoid selection bias. To avoid interviewer bias.
To avoid misclassification with respect to the outcome.
What is the goal of randomization? To blind the researcher to which group the subject has been assigned. To ensure that a diverse group of people are in the study To ensure that the baseline characteristics of the groups being compared are the same. To ensure that the results are statistically significant
To ensure that the baseline characteristics of the groups being compared are the same.
Which of the following is NOT a type of immunity? Acquired Active Passive Transfer
Transfer
True or False: Medicare Supplemental Insurance covers some of Original Medicare's out-of-pocket costs?
True
True or False: Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plans help with some costs that Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not pay.
True
True or False: You are still eligible for Medicare at age 65 even if your age for full retirement benefits from Social Security is 66 or older.
True
True or False? A beehive-shaped pyramid indicates that the population is having low birth rates as well as low death rates.
True
True or False? Establishing a valid statistical association is a necessary part of establishing a cause-effect relationship. True False
True
An unplanned type of experimental study where the levels of exposure to a presumed cause differ among a population in a way that is relatively unaffected by extraneous factors, such that the situation resembles a planned experiment, is called: a nonrandomized experiment. a natural experiment. a placebo-controlled experiment. All of these are correct.
a natural experiment.
Which groups of people are covered by Medicare? People age 65 and olderPeople under age 65 with a long-term disability who have received Social Security Disability Insurance payments for at least two yearsPeople with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's diseaseAll of the above People age 65 and older People under age 65 with a long-term disability who have received Social Security Disability Insurance payments for at least two years People with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease all of the above
all the above
When considering if there is a causal relationship, what does plausibility mean? biological or social models exist to explain the association Biologically different organisms have the same mechanism The studies used plausible techniques to study the relationship. None of the above
biological or social models exist to explain the association
Which of the following contains, spreads, or harbors an infectious organism? Fomites Vectors Reservoirs Carriers
carriers
Which of the following is a nuisance variable to be controlled? Effect modifier confounder Binary variable Dichotomous variable
confounder
