Occupational health: 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.

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PSM · Occupational health

Sample item

Which workplace control is most effective for preventing inhalation exposure to a hazardous dust?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Eliminate or substitute the hazard with engineering controls

The hierarchy of controls prioritizes elimination, substitution, and engineering measures because they reduce exposure at the source rather than relying only on individual behaviour.

Option by option

  • A. Provide posters without changing the process

    Posters alone do not remove the hazard.

  • B. Wait for respiratory symptoms to develop

    Waiting for symptoms permits preventable disease.

  • C. Eliminate or substitute the hazard with engineering controls (correct)

    Correct: source control is more reliable than personal behaviour alone.

  • D. Rely only on workers holding their breath

    Holding breath is neither safe nor sustainable protection.

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.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is C, Eliminate or substitute the hazard with engineering controls. The hierarchy of controls prioritizes elimination, substitution, and engineering measures because they reduce exposure at the source rather than relying only on individual behaviour.

Why is "Provide posters without changing the process" not the answer?

Posters alone do not remove the hazard.

Why is "Wait for respiratory symptoms to develop" not the answer?

Waiting for symptoms permits preventable disease.

Why is "Rely only on workers holding their breath" not the answer?

Holding breath is neither safe nor sustainable protection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Occupational health in PSM. The correct option holds because: Correct: source control is more reliable than personal behaviour alone.

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 Occupational health?

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.