Environmental health: Aedes breeding habits: 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: Aedes breeding habits

Sample item

During a dengue outbreak, a survey finds larvae in desert coolers, discarded tyres and uncovered water storage drums in houses. Which feature of the vector explains this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. It breeds in clean water collections near houses

Aedes aegypti breeds in small collections of clean water in and around houses, such as coolers, tyres, flower pots and storage containers. It bites during the day. Control relies on weekly emptying and covering of containers, and larvicides.

Option by option

  • A. It breeds in brackish marsh water

    Brackish marsh water is where Anopheles sundaicus breeds.

  • B. It breeds in running streams

    Running streams are the breeding sites of Anopheles fluvialis and A. minimus.

  • C. It breeds only in sewage

    Sewage is the breeding place of Culex quinquefasciatus.

  • D. It breeds in clean water collections near houses (correct)

    Correct. Aedes breeds in clean, stored water in domestic containers.

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 D, It breeds in clean water collections near houses. Aedes aegypti breeds in small collections of clean water in and around houses, such as coolers, tyres, flower pots and storage containers.

Why is "It breeds in brackish marsh water" not the answer?

Brackish marsh water is where Anopheles sundaicus breeds.

Why is "It breeds in running streams" not the answer?

Running streams are the breeding sites of Anopheles fluvialis and A. minimus.

Why is "It breeds only in sewage" not the answer?

Sewage is the breeding place of Culex quinquefasciatus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Environmental health: Aedes breeding habits in PSM. It bites during the day. Control relies on weekly emptying and covering of containers, and larvicides.

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: Aedes breeding habits?

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.