Health care delivery: sub-centre norms: 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 · Health care delivery: sub-centre norms

Sample item

A plains district block has a population of 90,000. By the standard Indian population norms, how many sub-centres should serve it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. 18

The population norm for a sub-centre is 5,000 in plains and 3,000 in hilly and tribal areas. For a plains population of 90,000 the number is 90,000 divided by 5,000, which equals 18. The 3,000 norm would give 30, applicable only to hilly or tribal terrain.

Option by option

  • A. 3

    3 is the number of primary health centres at 30,000 per centre, not sub-centres.

  • B. 18 (correct)

    Correct. 90,000 divided by 5,000 gives 18 sub-centres.

  • C. 30

    30 results from the hilly or tribal norm of 3,000, which does not apply to plains.

  • D. 9

    9 would follow from a norm of 10,000 per sub-centre, which is not the standard.

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.

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Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, 18. The population norm for a sub-centre is 5,000 in plains and 3,000 in hilly and tribal areas.

Why is "3" not the answer?

3 is the number of primary health centres at 30,000 per centre, not sub-centres.

Why is "30" not the answer?

30 results from the hilly or tribal norm of 3,000, which does not apply to plains.

Why is "9" not the answer?

9 would follow from a norm of 10,000 per sub-centre, which is not the standard.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Health care delivery: sub-centre norms in PSM. For a plains population of 90,000 the number is 90,000 divided by 5,000, which equals 18. The 3,000 norm would give 30, applicable only to hilly or tribal terrain.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Health care delivery: sub-centre norms?

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.