About this Study Set
This study set covers Epidemiology through
20 practice questions.
An introduction to the basic principles, metrics, and history of epidemiological science. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.
Questions & Answers
Browse all 20 questions from the
Foundations of Epidemiology study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
What term refers to the number of new cases of a disease that develop in a population during a specified period?
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A
Prevalence
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B
Incidence
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C
Mortality
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D
Endemic
2
Which 19th-century physician is often called the 'father of modern epidemiology' for his study of the London cholera outbreak?
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A
Louis Pasteur
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B
Edward Jenner
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C
John Snow
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D
Robert Koch
3
What is the term for a disease that is constantly present in a specific geographic area or population?
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A
Pandemic
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B
Sporadic
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C
Endemic
-
D
Epidemic
4
Which measure represents the total number of existing cases of a disease in a population at a specific point in time?
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A
Incidence
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B
Prevalence
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C
Attack rate
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D
Case fatality
5
What is the term for an unexpected increase in the number of disease cases in a specific area?
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A
Epidemic
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B
Endemic
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C
Index case
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D
Vector
6
What type of study design compares individuals with a disease to those without the disease to identify past exposures?
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A
Cohort study
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B
Case-control study
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C
Cross-sectional study
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D
Clinical trial
7
In epidemiology, what is a 'vector'?
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A
A type of virus
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B
An organism that transmits a pathogen
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C
The speed of an outbreak
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D
A statistical average
8
What is the 'incubation period' of an infectious disease?
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A
The time from infection to the appearance of symptoms
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B
The time a patient stays in the hospital
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C
The duration of the infection
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D
The time it takes for a vaccine to work
9
What does the 'Case Fatality Rate' measure?
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A
Total deaths in a population
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B
Proportion of persons with a specific condition who die from that condition
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C
The speed of disease spread
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D
Number of recoveries
10
What is a 'reservoir' in the context of disease transmission?
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A
The patient's immune system
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B
The hospital ward
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C
The habitat where a pathogen normally lives and multiplies
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D
The medical laboratory
11
Which of these is considered a 'host' factor in the epidemiological triad?
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A
Climate
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B
Genetic susceptibility
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C
Pollution
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D
Sanitation
12
What is the primary role of a vaccine in public health?
-
A
To cure existing infections
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B
To build immunity against specific pathogens
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C
To increase antibiotic resistance
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D
To kill all bacteria
13
What is a 'zoonotic' disease?
-
A
A disease that only affects insects
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B
A disease transmitted from animals to humans
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C
A disease that cannot be spread
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D
A disease caused by genetics
14
What is the term for the proportion of a population that is susceptible to a disease but is protected through prior vaccination?
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A
Herd immunity
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B
Quarantine
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C
Active immunity
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D
Isolation
15
Which type of study follows a group of people over time to see who develops a specific disease?
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A
Cohort study
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B
Case-control study
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C
Retrospective study
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D
Ecological study
16
What is the definition of a 'pandemic'?
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A
A local outbreak
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B
A disease outbreak spanning multiple countries or continents
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C
A rare genetic disorder
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D
A controlled clinical trial
17
What does 'morbidity' refer to in epidemiology?
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A
The rate of death
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B
The state of being diseased or unhealthy
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C
The number of births
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D
The effectiveness of a drug
18
Which of the following is a direct mode of disease transmission?
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A
Contaminated water
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B
Person-to-person contact
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C
Contaminated food
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D
Infected medical equipment
19
What is the 'index case' in an epidemiological investigation?
-
A
The first documented case of an infectious disease in a population
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B
The average age of patients
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C
The most common symptom
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D
The final patient to recover
20
What does 'sanitation' aim to prevent in the context of epidemiology?
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A
The spread of waterborne pathogens
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B
The development of genetic mutations
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C
The onset of cancer
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D
The aging process
