$$\text{Incidence Rate} = \frac{\text{Number of new cases in a time period}}{\text{Total population at risk}} \times 100,000$$

$$\text{Mortality Rate} = \frac{\text{Number of deaths due to disease}}{\text{Number of cases}} \times 100$$

$$\text{Prevalence} = \frac{500}{10,000} \times 100 = 5\%$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the term 'epidemiology'?

Accepted Answer

The science that evaluates occurrence, causes, distribution, and control of health and disease in a defined human population.

Question 2

A sudden, unexpected occurrence of disease in a limited segment of a population is known as:

Accepted Answer

Outbreak

Question 3

Which organization is the principal government agency responsible for tracking infectious diseases in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Question 4

If a disease exhibits a relatively steady frequency over a long period of time in a particular geographic locale, it is classified as:

Accepted Answer

Endemic

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a method used in epidemiological surveillance?

Accepted Answer

Genetic sequencing of all pathogens in a population

Question 6

The formula for calculating the incidence rate of a disease is:

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{Incidence Rate} = \frac{	ext{Number of new cases in a time period}}{	ext{Total population at risk}} 	imes 100,000$$

Question 7

Which of the following is a real-world example of breaking the connection between the source and susceptible individuals?

Accepted Answer

Pasteurization of milk

Question 8

Herd immunity is best described as:

Accepted Answer

The resistance of a population to infection due to the immunity of a large percentage of the population.

Question 9

Which factor is NOT typically associated with the emergence or reemergence of infectious diseases?

Accepted Answer

Improved public infrastructure

Question 10

A disease that spreads across continents is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Pandemic

Question 11

Which of the following is a plausible reason for the reemergence of tuberculosis in a population?

Accepted Answer

Increased use of immunosuppressive drugs

Question 12

The mortality rate for a disease is calculated as:

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{Mortality Rate} = \frac{	ext{Number of deaths due to disease}}{	ext{Number of cases}} 	imes 100$$

Question 13

Which of the following is a key function of the World Health Organization (WHO)?

Accepted Answer

Tracking infectious diseases worldwide

Question 14

A field investigation of an epidemic is most likely to involve:

Accepted Answer

Collecting, analyzing, and reporting data on rates of occurrence, mortality, and morbidity

Question 15

Which of the following would NOT be considered a reportable, notifiable disease?

Accepted Answer

Common cold

Question 16

If a population has 500 existing cases of a disease in a population of 10,000, what is the prevalence percentage?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{Prevalence} = \frac{500}{10,000} 	imes 100 = 5\%$$

Question 17

Which of the following is a control measure to reduce or eliminate the source or reservoir of an infectious disease?

Accepted Answer

Quarantine and isolation of cases

Question 18

A sudden increase in frequency of a disease above the expected number in a population is called:

Accepted Answer

Epidemic

Question 19

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of morbidity rate?

Accepted Answer

Number of people afflicted with a certain disease per 100,000 people in the population

Question 20

Which of the following is a host factor that can facilitate the development of disease within a defined population?

Accepted Answer

Immunosuppression due to medical practices

Epidemiology and Public Health Microbiology: Principles, Methods, and Applications

Study Guide - Practice Questions