ATI RN
Epidemiology Multiple Choice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
In a state that did not require varicella (chickenpox) vaccination, a boarding school experienced a prolonged outbreak of varicella among its students that began in September and continued through December. To calculate the probability or risk of illness among the students, which denominator would you use?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Risk (cumulative incidence) uses the initial number of susceptibles (C) to reflect those at risk at the outbreak’s start.
Question 2 of 5
Public health surveillance is only conducted by public health agencies.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hospitals and other entities also contribute to surveillance, not just public health agencies.
Question 3 of 5
The primary reason for preparing and distributing periodic surveillance summaries is which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Summaries aim to inform stakeholders about current disease trends and patterns.
Question 4 of 5
Common methods of identifying additional cases (expanding surveillance) as part of an outbreak investigation include: (Choose one wrong answer)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: All methods (A, B, C, D) are standard; B is correct, so misinterpreted—none are wrong.
Question 5 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: Case definitions need clinical and contextual (time, place, person) details for outbreak precision.