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 a reservoir of infection?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Habitat where an agent normally lives and multiplies

A reservoir is the natural habitat in which an infectious agent normally survives and multiplies, such as humans, animals, soil, or water.

Option by option

  • A. A patient with severe symptoms only

    Symptomatic patient may or may not be reservoir.

  • B. Habitat where an agent normally lives and multiplies (correct)

    Correct: reservoir supports agent maintenance.

  • C. A vaccine storage device

    Storage device is unrelated.

  • D. A route of transmission only

    Route is how agent travels.

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 B, Habitat where an agent normally lives and multiplies. A reservoir is the natural habitat in which an infectious agent normally survives and multiplies, such as humans, animals, soil, or water.

Why is "A patient with severe symptoms only" not the answer?

Symptomatic patient may or may not be reservoir.

Why is "A vaccine storage device" not the answer?

Storage device is unrelated.

Why is "A route of transmission only" not the answer?

Route is how agent travels.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Communicable diseases in PSM. The correct option holds because: Correct: reservoir supports agent maintenance.

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.