ATI RN
Epidemiology Test Questions and Answers PDF Questions
Question 1 of 5
A number of passengers on a cruise ship from Puerto Rico to the Panama Canal have recently developed a gastrointestinal illness compatible with norovirus (formerly called Norwalk-like virus). Testing for norovirus is not readily available in any nearby island, and the test takes several days even where available. Assuming you are the epidemiologist called on to board the ship and investigate this possible outbreak, your case definition should include, at a minimum: (Choose one best answer)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A case definition requires clinical symptoms and specifics of time, place, and person to accurately identify outbreak cases. Suspected exposures (B) are premature, and C and D lack specificity.
Question 2 of 5
The measure of central location most commonly used with the standard deviation is the:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The mean is used with standard deviation in normal distribution analyses.
Question 3 of 5
To study the causes of an outbreak of aflatoxin poisoning in Africa, investigators conducted a case-control study with 40 case-patients and 80 controls. Among the 40 poisoning victims, 32 reported storing their maize inside rather than outside. Among the 80 controls, 20 stored their maize inside. The resulting odds ratio for the association between inside storage of maize and illness is:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Odds ratio = (32/8) / (20/60) = 4 / (1/3) = 12, indicating a strong association.
Question 4 of 5
A spot map must reflect numbers; an area map must reflect rates.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Spot maps show case numbers by location; area maps can show rates or numbers.
Question 5 of 5
Key sources of morbidity data include which of the following? (Choose one wrong answer)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Morbidity data come from discharges (B), labs (C), and reports (D). Environmental data (A) relate to exposure, not morbidity.