Epidemiology Quiz Practice Questions

An experimental study design is appropirate if the exposure you are studying is race. A) True B) False

B) False

Incidence measures are most useful in the planning of health services. A) True B) False

B) False

Information from descriptive studies can be used to test hypotheses about cause and effect relationships (or determinents of disease). A) True B) False

B) False

One advantage to using prospective cohort studies is that results of the study can be retrieved quickly. A) True B) False

B) False

Prospective cohort studies make use of historical data. A) True B) False

B) False

Retrospective cohort studies do not have an exposure level at baseline. A) True B) False

B) False

The individual is the unit of analysis for ecologic studies. A) True B) False

B) False

Epidemiologic surveys are an example of: A) Multiphasic screening B) Mass health examination C) Mass screening D) Selective screening

B) Mass health examination

An organization is proposing a screening for celiac disease for all citizens of a certain county. This would be an example of: A) Multiphasic screening B) Mass screening C) Selective screening D) Mass health examination

B) Mass screening

What term refers to "the occurrence of death from a condition in a population?" A) Morbidity B)Mortality C) Prevalence D) Incidence

B) Mortality

Immunizations are an example of passive prevention of disease. A)True B)False

B)False

What term refers to "an occurence of an illness or illness in a population"? A)Prevalence B)Morbidity C)Incidence D)Mortality

B)Morbidity

What component of Hill's Aspects of Association asks if people are developing the same disease condition after exposure? A)Consistency B)Specificity C)Temporality D)Coherence

B)Specificity

Among 13,963,753 males and 14,272,325 females there were 20,734 cases of prostate cancer and 19,107 cases of female breast cancer. What is the incidence of prostate cancer per 100,000? (Hint: Only males have prostates).

C) 148.5 per 100,000

British investigators conducted a study to compare measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine history among 1,294 children with pervasive development disorder (e.g., autism and Asperger's syndrome) and 4,469 children without such disorders. (They found no association.) This is an example of which type of study? A) Ecologic B) Cohort C) Case-control D) Clinical trial

C) Case-control

To test the efficacy of vitamin C in preventing colds, army recruits are randomly assigned to two groups: one given 500 mg of vitamin C daily, and one given a placebo. Both groups are followed to determine the number and severity of subsequent colds. A) Community trial B) Cohort C) Clinical trial D) Case-control

C) Clinical Trial

Which of these is an example of a non-specific defense mechanism? A) Tears B) Skin C) Immune system D) Mucosal surfaces

C) Immune system

The number of new cases of a disease divided by the total population at risk is A) DALY's B) Attributable risk C) Incidence rate D) Population attributable risk

C) Incidence rate

This is the sum of both the cases that first come to the attention of public health officials and those cases that are closely enough related to be considered part of the same generation. A) Co-primaries B) Preliminary cases C) Initial cases D) Index cases

C) Initial cases

The capacity of an agent to cause overt disease in a host, measured through a ratio of clinical disease over those exposed is known as: A) Antigenicity B) Virulence C) Pathogenicity D) Infectivity

C) Pathogenicity

The number of accidental deaths among females aged 15-19 years is separated by race. There were 1,333 deaths between African-American females and white females in the age group. Two-hundred and twenty-seven (227) were African American and 1106 were white. There were roughly 21 white females who died as a result of an accident to every 1 African American female who died. This is an example of: A) Count B) Rate C) Ratio D) Proportion

C) Ratio

A study is conducted examining the use of 400mg of Ibuprofen to relieve pain for individuals. Forty (40) patients are given a dose of ibuprofen and another forty (40) are given a placebo. After a dose the study groups are surveyed about their level of pain relief. Of those who were given Ibuprofen, 22 achieved at least 50% pain relief and 18 did not achieve at least 50% pain relief. Of those who were given the placebo, 7 achieved at least 50% pain relief and 33 did not achieve at least 50% pain relief. Calculate the numberic value of this measure of association.

5.8

Consider a cohort of 2,000 people, of whom 800 are smokers and 1,200 are non-smokers. The entire cohort is observed for 20 years, and 100 participants develop lung cancer, of who 90 are smokers and 10 are not. What is the incidence rate of lung cancer for smokers in this cohort per 1,000?

112.5 per 1,000

Consider a cohort of 2,000 people, of whom 800 are smokers and 1,200 are non-smokers. The entire cohort is observed for 20 years, and 100 participants develop lung cancer, of who 90 are smokers and 10 are not. What is the relative risk of lung cancer for smokers to non-smokers in this cohort?

13.5

An outbreak of influenza occurred in a military barracks housing 20 soldiers. Case A began on October 1, and case B on October 2. After 10 days there was an additional 12 cases that all occurred within the span of a week. Epidemiologists in the military believe these 12 cases to all be part of the same generation since they occurred in the second incubation period after cases A and B. None of the soldiers had immunity to the virus during this outbreak. The epidemiologists wish to calculate the secondary attack rate. What would be the denominator in the calculation of this rate?

18

The average US population from 2002 through 2006 was 293,235,578. Over this 5 year period, 2,787,217 people died from malignant neoplasms (cancer). What is the cause-specific mortality rate per year for this cause of death? (Hint: Think about the time period for the number of persons who died from malignant neoplasms that acrued)

190 per 100,000

A cohort study of coffee drinking and anxiety was conducted at a university campus. There were a total of 30,000 freshmen who participated. 10,000 were coffee drinkers and 20,000 were not. Of the coffee drinkers, 500 developed anxiety during the 4 year follow-up period. Of the non-coffee drinkers, 200 developed anxiety during the same time period. Assume that no one in the population died or was lost during the follow-up period. What was the cumulative incidence of anxiety among coffee drinkers? Calculate the relative risk using the given data assuming that coffee drinking is the exposure.

5.0

A cohort study of coffee drinking and anxiety was conducted at a university campus. There were a total of 30,000 freshmen who participated. 10,000 were coffee drinkers and 20,000 were not. Of the coffee drinkers, 500 developed anxiety during the 4 year follow-up period. Of the non-coffee drinkers, 200 developed anxiety during the same time period. Assume that no one in the population died or was lost during the follow-up period. What was the cumulative incidence of anxiety among coffee drinkers?

5.0% over a four year period

A case-control study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between aspirin use and the risk of colon cancer. 2,000 cases and 2,000 controls were enrolled in the study. 1,800 of the cases reported using aspirin in the past while 1,200 of the controls reported using aspirin in the past. Using the data given above, calculate the numeric value of this measure of association.

6.0

An outbreak of influenza occurred in a military barracks housing 20 soldiers. Case A began on October 1, and case B on October 2. After 10 days there was an additional 12 cases that all occurred within the span of a week. Epidemiologists in the military believe these 12 cases to all be part of the same generation since they occurred in the second incubation period after cases A and B. None of the soldiers had immunity to the virus during this outbreak. The epidemiologists wish to calculate the secondary attack rate. What would be the secondary attack rate in this outbreak?

66.7%

This genus of microbes often act as the vectors for many infectious agents: A) Arthropods B) Protozoa C) Virus D) Helminths

A) Arthropods

These microbial agents release toxins that damage or kill healthy tissues are: A) Bacteria B) Virus C) Rickettsia D) Helminths

A) Bacteria

Su et al. examined the association between breast cancer incidence and viral hepatitis among women in Taiwan. A total of 1958 patients with incident breast cancer during the period 2000-2008 were identified and age-matched to 7832 subjects without cancer. No significant association between breast cancer incidence and hepatitis C virus or hepatitis B virus was found. What type of study design was this? A) Case-control B) Ecologic C) None D) Cross- sectional

A) Case-control Study

CCL Container recently conducted a hypertension screening program with its employees. Twenty-six staff member screened positive for the disease. This is an example of: A) Count B) Rate C) Ratio D) Proportion

A) Count

How does descriptive epidemiology differ from analytic epidemiology? A) Descriptive focuses on distribution of a disease in a population, while analytical focuses on determinants of a disease B) Descriptive focuses on determinants while analytical focuses on distribution of disease. C) Descriptive focuses on population while analytic focuses on diseases D) Descriptive focuses on diseases while analytic focuses on populations

A) Descriptive focuses on distribution of a disease in a population, while analytical focuses on determinants of a disease

The Seven Countries Study, which examined the relationship between lifestyle, diet, and coronary heart disease, is an example of which study design? A) Ecologic B) Case-control C) Cross-sectional D) Case report

A) Ecologic

A community agency is putting together an exercise program for senior women to help in the prevention of osteoporosis. This would be an example of: A) Primary prevention B) Secondary Prevention C) Passive Prevention D) Tertiary prevention

A) Primary prevention

The physical examination records of the incoming first-year class of 1935 at the University of Minnesota are examined in 1980 to see whether the freshmen's recorded height and weight at the time of admission to the university were related to their chance of developing coronary heart disease by 1981. A) Case-control B) Cohort C) Clinical trial D) Community trial

B) Cohort

Which of the following are key features of cohort studies? A) Retrospectively or prospectively the investigators identify a cohort of subject who initially did not have the diease or outcome of interest B) Groups being compared differ in their exposure status C) Investigators measure and compare the incidence of disease (or some outcome) among different exposure groups D) It is essential that follow up is complete in all subjects

A) Retrospectively or prospectively the investigators identify a cohort of subject who initiall did not have the diease or outcome of interest B) Groups being compared differ in their exposure status C) Investigators measure and compare the incidence of disease (or some outcome) among different exposure groups

An agent must be present for an infection to occur. A) True B) False

A) True

Relative risk estimates the strength of association between exposure and disease. A) True B) False

A) True

The etiologies of chronic diseases are often not well known. A) True B) False

A) True

The same time period is used in both the numerator and denominator for case fatality rate. A) True B) False

A) True

A hypodermic needle with blood infected with the Hepatitis A pathogen is shared among injection drug users. This would be an example of a: A) Vehicle B) Fomite C) Vector D) Contaminant

A) Vehicle

An urban area has had a large migration over the past 10 years of younger individuals to other areas in order to look for better opportunities. This high mobility in the population is an example of what kind of descriptive variable? A)Community Infrastructure B)Environmental C)Health related outcomes D)Demographic and social

A)Community Infrastructure

An industrial town along the shore of Lake Michigan is known for having poor air quality due to factories and shipping industry near residential areas. This would be an example of what kind of descriptive variable? A)Environmental B)Demographic and Social C)Community Infrastructure D)Health related outcomes

A)Environmental

A community group brings on an epidemiologist to look at what services are missing in a particular area so as to improve access for residents. This is an example of_______. A)Operations Research B)Community Infrastructure C)Aspects of Association D)Biological Gradient

A)Operations Research

This study design begins by identifying persons with an outcome of interest and looking back at their exposure. A) Cohort B) Case-control C) Ecologic D) Cross-sectional

B) Case- control

A study in which children are randomly assigned to receive either a newly formulated vaccine or the currently available vaccine, and are followed to monitor for side effects and effectiveness of each vaccine, is an example of which type of study? A) Observational B) Clinical trial C) Cohort D) Case-control

B) Clinical Trial

A study was conducted in which 5,763 British children were recruited who had either received or not received the measles-mumps-rubella vaccination. These children were then followed over a 10 year period to see if there was any development of a pervasive development disorder (e.g. autism and Asperger's syndrome). This is an example of what type of study? A) Ecological B) Cohort C) Case-control D) Clinical trial

B) Cohort

Fifteen hundred adult men who worked for Lockheed Aircraft were initially examined in 1951 and were classified by diagnostic criteria for coronary artery disease. Every three years they have been reexamined for new cases of the disease: attack rates in different subgroups have been computer annually. A) Community trial B) Cohort C) Ecologic D) Clinical trial

B) Cohort

The entire population of a given community is examined, and all who are judged free of bowel cancer are questioned extensively about their diet. These people are then followed for several years to see whether their eating habits will predict their risk of developing bowel cancer. A) Community trial B) Cohort C) Ecologic D) Clinical trial

B) Cohort

During the fall 2014 semester, there were a total of 103 male students enrolled at all levels in the university to 100 female students. This is an example of: A) Simple sex ratio B) Demographic sex ratio C) Sex ratio at birth D) Gender proportion

B) Demographic sex ratio

This specific kind of rate is calculated when investigators are working to determine the cases of an infection that occur among the contacts within the incubation period following exposure to primary cases. A) Base reproductive number B) Case fatality rate C) Secondary attack rate D) Attack rate

C) Secondary attack rate

A graph of three different age groups identifying a pattern of a disease over a period of several years is an example of: A) Common source epidemic B) Point source epidemic C) Secular trend D) Cyclic fluctuation

C) Secular trend

The greatest number of true cases of a condition are likely to be identified using which screening design? A) Mass screening B) Multiphasic screening C) Selective screening D) Mass health examination

C) Selective screening

Point epidemics and clustering are examples of disease occurrence according to: A) Place B) Person C) Time D) Determinant

C) Time

Which of these might be an example of a prophylactic clinical trial? A) New therapy to lower cholesterol B) New surgical procedure to improve circulation in diabetic patient extremities C) Vaccine for the Ebola virus D) New drug treatment to cure a sexually transmitted infection

C) Vaccine for the Ebola virus

An environmental public health student doing an internship with a local health department in Northeast Ohio is accidentally bitten by raccoon and possibly infected with rabies during a summer internship. The raccoon in this instance is an example of: A) Nuisance B) Vehicle C) Vector D) Fomite

C) Vector

An example of active prevention of disease is? A)Fluoridation of water B)Creating fire resistant clothes for babies and children C)Using a seatbelt while riding in a vehicle D)Equipping cars with air bags

C)Using a seat belt while riding in a vehicle

What sources can be used to identify controls for a case-control study? A) General population B) Hospital/clinic patients C) Friends and relatives D) All of the above

D) All of the above

Cases that are related to those cases that first came to the attention of public health officials such that they can be considered part of the same generation of cases are known as: A) Preliminary cases B) Initial cases C) Index cases D) Co-primaries

D) Co-primaries

A graph that enumerates increases and decreases in cases over a period of several years is an example of: A) Common source epidemic B) Point source epidemic C) Secular trend D) Cyclic fluctuation

D) Cyclic fluctuation

An IV machine is place in the room of a patient with c-diff. The monitor is not properly cleaned after its use in this room, leading to infection in a separate patient. This monitor is an example of a: A) Vector B) Contaminant C) Vehicle D) Fomite

D) Fomite

Which of the following can you say about death certificate completion and filing in the U.S.? A) Funeral director is responsible for completing information about cause of death B) Death certificate must be filed within 10 days of the death C) Place of death is person's residence D) Funeral director files the death certificate

D) Funeral director files the death certificate

These are the cases that first come to the attention of public health authorities: A) Co-primaries B) Preliminary cases C) Initial cases D) Index cases

D) Index cases

The cause-specific mortality rate is the: A) Number of deaths in a year divided by the total population B) Number of deaths from a disease in a specific period of time divided by the number of people with the disease C) Number of enw cases of a disease divided by the total population at risk D) Number of deaths from a particular disease divided by the total population

D) Number of deaths from a particular disease divided by the total population

This measure tells us the proportion of disease in the total population that are the result of exposure. A) Incidence rate B) DALY C) Attributable risk D) Population attributable risk

D) Population attributable risk

Approximately 400,000 Americans today have ever been diagnosed with lung cancer. This is also known as ______. A) Morbidity B) Mortality C) Incidence D) Prevalence

D) Prevalence

A long term care facility that houses 80 residents has an outbreak of adenovirus. Of those redience, 24 (or 0.3) of the residents have been infected. This is an example of: A) Count B) Rate C) Ratio D) Proportion

D) Proportion

The number of accidental deaths among females aged 15-19 years is separated by race. There were 1,333 deaths between African-American females and white females in the age group. Two-hundred and twenty-seven (227), or 17% of these deaths were African Americans. This calculation of 17% is an example of: A) Count B) Rate C) Ratio D) Proportion

D) Proportion

Which of these study designs would be considered the most valid? A) Case series B) Cross-sectional C) Case-control D) Randomized clinical trial

D) Randomized clinical trial

An exposure associated with a disease is known as: A)Effect B)Cause C)Disease rate D)Risk factor

D)Risk Factor

In the definition of epidemiology, "distribution" refers to: A) Why B) Who C) Where D) When

D)When

Descriptive epidemiology involves all of the following questions EXCEPT: A) Who B) What C) Where D) When E) Why?

E) Why?

A case-control study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between aspirin use and the risk of colon cancer. 2,000 cases and 2,000 controls were enrolled in the study. 1,800 of the cases reported using aspirin in the past while 1,200 of the controls reported using aspirin in the past. What measure of association should be calculated to determine the strength of the relationship between aspirin and colon cancer?

Odd Ratio