ATI RN
Epidemiology Multiple Choice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
Disease control measures are generally directed at which of the following? (Choose one wrong answer)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Control targets reservoirs (A), vectors (B), and transmission (D), not hosts (C).
Question 2 of 5
Which is the first step in preventing further spread of a particular sexually transmitted disease (STD)?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Antiinfective drugs, such as antibiotics, antivirals, antiretrovirals, and antimalarials, play important roles in controlling infectious diseases. Not only do they permit recovery of the infected person, but they also play a major role in preventing transmission of the pathogens to another. The first step in preventing transmission of tuberculosis and syphilis is to treat the infected person with antibiotics. Because the question asks about further spread, infection in a person has been diagnosed, so education is needed, but it is too late for that person. Adults not in school also are infected with STDs. A stronger, more effective sanitizing agent would not be the most effective strategy to prevent spread of STDs.
Question 3 of 5
An epidemiologist has written a summary of a food poisoning outbreak, including its cause and ways to prevent it from occurring in the future. Which best describes what has been done?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: There are two principal types of epidemiology: (1) analytic epidemiology and (2) descriptive epidemiology. Descriptive epidemiology describes the amount and distribution of disease, which may suggest possible causes. These causes can then be confirmed or corrected through more advanced methods of research. Analytic epidemiology investigates the causes of disease by determining why a disease rate is lower in one population group than another. A prospective cohort study monitors a group of disease-free individuals to determine whether and when disease occurs. Retrospective studies compare individuals with a particular condition or disease and those who do not have the disease.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse conducted a study of two skin lotions: (1) an inexpensive one and (2) an expensive one. The nurse found that there was a relative risk of 0.7 for skin sores using the inexpensive one and a relative risk of 1.2 using the expensive one. Which skin lotion should the nurse use?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A risk factor of less than one means the factor is actually protective, so the inexpensive lotion is helpful in preventing skin sores. A risk factor of more than one means the factor increases risk, so using the expensive lotion increases the probability of getting a skin lesion.
Question 5 of 5
Which best describes the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: As treatment was knowingly withheld over many years resulting in incredible harm to the subjects and their families, public outrage over unethical, racist, and discriminatory behavior of the researchers continues today.