Levels of prevention: primordial prevention: 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 · Levels of prevention: primordial prevention

Sample item

A state government bans the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages and junk food near schools and mandates front-of-pack warning labels, aiming to stop children from ever adopting risky dietary habits. At which level of prevention does this policy act?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Primordial prevention

Primordial prevention aims to prevent the emergence of risk factors themselves in populations, mainly through policy, legislation and environmental change. Primary prevention acts after risk factors exist, by health promotion and specific protection of individuals. Here no risk behaviour has yet been established in the children.

Option by option

  • A. Primary prevention by specific protection

    Specific protection targets a known disease with a particular measure such as a vaccine, and risk factors are already present.

  • B. Secondary prevention

    Secondary prevention is early detection and treatment of disease that has already begun, which is not the case here.

  • C. Tertiary prevention

    Tertiary prevention limits disability and aids rehabilitation in established disease.

  • D. Primordial prevention (correct)

    Correct. The policy prevents risk factors from arising in the first place across a population.

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, Primordial prevention. Primordial prevention aims to prevent the emergence of risk factors themselves in populations, mainly through policy, legislation and environmental change.

Why is "Primary prevention by specific protection" not the answer?

Specific protection targets a known disease with a particular measure such as a vaccine, and risk factors are already present.

Why is "Secondary prevention" not the answer?

Secondary prevention is early detection and treatment of disease that has already begun, which is not the case here.

Why is "Tertiary prevention" not the answer?

Tertiary prevention limits disability and aids rehabilitation in established disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Levels of prevention: primordial prevention in PSM. Primary prevention acts after risk factors exist, by health promotion and specific protection of individuals. Here no risk behaviour has yet been established in the children.

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 Levels of prevention: primordial prevention?

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.