Surveillance: 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 · Surveillance

Sample item

What is public health surveillance?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Ongoing systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of health data for action

Public health surveillance is a continuous information process that supports planning, implementation, and evaluation of health action. Timely dissemination to decision-makers is an essential component.

Option by option

  • A. A one-time clinical examination only

    A single examination is not ongoing surveillance.

  • B. A court investigation of one death

    Forensic investigation serves a different purpose.

  • C. A treatment protocol for an individual

    Individual treatment protocols are not population surveillance.

  • D. Ongoing systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of health data for action (correct)

    Correct. Surveillance links data collection to action.

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 D, Ongoing systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of health data for action. Public health surveillance is a continuous information process that supports planning, implementation, and evaluation of health action.

Why is "A one-time clinical examination only" not the answer?

A single examination is not ongoing surveillance.

Why is "A court investigation of one death" not the answer?

Forensic investigation serves a different purpose.

Why is "A treatment protocol for an individual" not the answer?

Individual treatment protocols are not population surveillance.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Surveillance in PSM. Timely dissemination to decision-makers is an essential component.

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 Surveillance?

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.