Screening: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

PSM · Screening

Sample item

Which characteristic makes a condition more suitable for population screening?

AImportant burden with a detectable preclinical phase and effective treatmentBA condition that resolves before detectionCA disease with no meaningful outcome difference from early careDNo reliable test and no available treatment

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Important burden with a detectable preclinical phase and effective treatment

Screening is most useful when an important disease has a detectable preclinical stage, an acceptable accurate test, and earlier treatment that improves outcomes compared with waiting for symptoms.

Option by option

A. Important burden with a detectable preclinical phase and effective treatment (correct)
Correct: these features support a justified screening program.
B. A condition that resolves before detection
A disease that resolves before detection offers little opportunity for screening benefit.
C. A disease with no meaningful outcome difference from early care
No benefit from earlier care undermines the rationale for screening.
D. No reliable test and no available treatment
Without a reliable test or beneficial intervention, screening causes harm without clear gain.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is A, Important burden with a detectable preclinical phase and effective treatment. Screening is most useful when an important disease has a detectable preclinical stage, an acceptable accurate test, and earlier treatment that improves outcomes compared with waiting for symptoms.

Why is "A condition that resolves before detection" not the answer?

A disease that resolves before detection offers little opportunity for screening benefit.

Why is "A disease with no meaningful outcome difference from early care" not the answer?

No benefit from earlier care undermines the rationale for screening.

Why is "No reliable test and no available treatment" not the answer?

Without a reliable test or beneficial intervention, screening causes harm without clear gain.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Screening in PSM. The correct option holds because: Correct: these features support a justified screening program.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Screening?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.