Chapter 01: Introduction

Celentano: Gordis Epidemiology, 6th Edition

Test Bank

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Which of the following is an example of tertiary prevention?

a. Vaccination for rotavirus for children younger than the age of 1 year
b. Surgical amputation of an extremity with osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
c. Screening for gestational diabetes after 24 weeks of pregnancy
d. Sexual education program in elementary schools
e. Increasing taxes for buying cigarettes

ANS: B

Surgical amputation of an extremity with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is an example in which when a disease is present the treatment (amputation) is done to reduce the impact of disease by preventing the tumor from dissemination. Vaccination for rotavirus for children younger than the age of 1 year, sexual education program in elementary schools, and increasing taxes for buying cigarettes represent examples of primary prevention. Screening for gestational diabetes after 24 weeks of pregnancy is an example of secondary prevention.

2. This historic character observed that childbed fever mortality was more common among women treated by physicians and medical students compared with women treated by midwives. Based on his observations, he implemented a hand wash policy that resulted in a decrease in mortality. Name the character that we are talking about.

a. John Snow
b. Edward Jenner
c. D.A. Henderson
d. Leon Gordis
e. Ignaz Semmelweis

ANS: E

Ignaz Semmelweis identified that medical students and physicians transmitted the disease by not washing their hands after examining bodies at autopsies and conducting multiple examinations in the clinic.

3. Thanks to the contributions of Edward Jenner, the following disease was eradicated later by efforts organized by D.A. Henderson:

a. Cholera
b. Smallpox
c. Chickenpox
d. Polio
e. Zika

ANS: B

Smallpox was eradicated in 1980. Edward Jenner vaccinated James Phipps in 1796 against smallpox. Almost 200 years later, the World Health Organization (WHO) commissioned D.A. Henderson to lead the efforts to eradicate the disease.

4. Over the past century, a marked decline in the mortality rates of many infectious diseases has been observed. Which of the following is the most likely reason for the observed decline in mortality rates from common infectious diseases?

a. Development of penicillin
b. Development of insulin
c. Development of vaccines
d. Improvement in social conditions
e. Worse sanitation and unsafe water

ANS: D

Although medical treatments potentially helped in the decrease of infectious diseases, the advancement in social conditions played a major role. These improvements include better sanitation, safe disposal of waste, better nutrition, and improvement in housing conditions.