Communicable diseases: 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 · Communicable diseases

Sample item

What is the purpose of isolation for a contagious patient?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Separate infectious person to reduce transmission

Isolation separates a contagious individual during the period of transmissibility to reduce spread while clinical assessment and treatment proceed.

Option by option

  • A. Provide long-term rehabilitation

    Rehabilitation is a different stage of care.

  • B. Identify all genetic relatives

    Genetic tracing is not isolation.

  • C. Separate infectious person to reduce transmission (correct)

    Correct: isolation interrupts transmission from an infectious source.

  • D. Replace antimicrobial treatment

    Isolation does not replace disease-specific treatment.

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, Separate infectious person to reduce transmission. Isolation separates a contagious individual during the period of transmissibility to reduce spread while clinical assessment and treatment proceed.

Why is "Provide long-term rehabilitation" not the answer?

Rehabilitation is a different stage of care.

Why is "Identify all genetic relatives" not the answer?

Genetic tracing is not isolation.

Why is "Replace antimicrobial treatment" not the answer?

Isolation does not replace disease-specific treatment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable diseases in PSM. The correct option holds because: Correct: isolation interrupts transmission from an infectious source.

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 Communicable diseases?

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.