Environmental health: thermal comfort indices: 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 · Environmental health: thermal comfort indices

Sample item

A factory engineer wants a single empirical index of thermal comfort that combines dry-bulb temperature, humidity and air movement. Which one is suitable?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Effective temperature

Effective temperature is an empirical index that integrates dry-bulb temperature, humidity and air movement into one number that corresponds to the sensation of warmth. The comfort zone is read from standard charts. Dry-bulb, wet-bulb or radiant temperature alone reflect only part of the thermal environment.

Option by option

  • A. Effective temperature (correct)

    Correct. Effective temperature combines temperature, humidity and air velocity.

  • B. Mean radiant temperature alone

    Mean radiant temperature measures radiant heat only.

  • C. Wet-bulb temperature alone

    Wet-bulb temperature reflects humidity and temperature but not air movement.

  • D. Dry-bulb temperature alone

    Dry-bulb temperature alone ignores humidity and air movement.

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 A, Effective temperature. Effective temperature is an empirical index that integrates dry-bulb temperature, humidity and air movement into one number that corresponds to the sensation of warmth.

Why is "Mean radiant temperature alone" not the answer?

Mean radiant temperature measures radiant heat only.

Why is "Wet-bulb temperature alone" not the answer?

Wet-bulb temperature reflects humidity and temperature but not air movement.

Why is "Dry-bulb temperature alone" not the answer?

Dry-bulb temperature alone ignores humidity and air movement.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Environmental health: thermal comfort indices in PSM. The comfort zone is read from standard charts. Dry-bulb, wet-bulb or radiant temperature alone reflect only part of the thermal environment.

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 Environmental health: thermal comfort indices?

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.