$$\text{Morbidity Rate} = \frac{\text{Number of people affected by a disease in a given period}}{\text{Total population}} \times 100$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the relationship between Escherichia coli and the human large intestine?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism, because both E. coli and the host benefit from the relationship.

Question 2

A patient develops pneumonia 5 days after being admitted to the hospital for a knee surgery. This infection is best classified as:

Accepted Answer

A nosocomial infection

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a limitation of Koch’s postulates?

Accepted Answer

All pathogens can be visualized with a light microscope.

Question 4

Which of the following terms describes the presence and rapid multiplication of bacteria in the blood?

Accepted Answer

Septicemia

Question 5

A disease that is constantly present in a population, such as the common cold, is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Endemic

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of vehicle transmission?

Accepted Answer

A person contracts hepatitis A from contaminated water.

Question 7

Which of the following best defines 'prevalence' in epidemiology?

Accepted Answer

The total number of cases, both old and new, of a disease in a population at a given time.

Question 8

Which of the following is a sign, rather than a symptom, of disease?

Accepted Answer

Fever

Question 9

A patient with HIV develops Pneumocystis pneumonia after several years. The pneumonia is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A secondary infection

Question 10

Which of the following is the most effective method to prevent nosocomial infections in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

Thorough handwashing by staff

Question 11

Which of the following equations correctly expresses morbidity rate?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{Morbidity Rate} = \frac{	ext{Number of people affected by a disease in a given period}}{	ext{Total population}} 	imes 100$$

Question 12

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates herd immunity?

Accepted Answer

A large proportion of a population is vaccinated against measles, preventing outbreaks.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of biological vector transmission?

Accepted Answer

A tick transmits Lyme disease by biting a human.

Question 14

A disease outbreak occurs in multiple countries across the world. This is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Pandemic

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct sequence of Koch’s postulates?

Accepted Answer

Isolate pathogen from sick animal → Grow in pure culture → Inoculate healthy animal → Observe disease → Re-isolate pathogen

Question 16

Which of the following is a predisposing factor that can increase susceptibility to disease?

Accepted Answer

Fatigue

Question 17

Which of the following best describes a subclinical infection?

Accepted Answer

An infection with no apparent signs or symptoms

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct example of a zoonosis?

Accepted Answer

A person contracts rabies from a dog bite.

Question 19

Which of the following is the best definition of epidemiology?

Accepted Answer

The science that deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of diseases in populations

Question 20

Which of the following is a key function of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)?

Accepted Answer

Publishing the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

Principles of Disease and Epidemiology: Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions