Question 1

A nurse researcher interested in the relationship between radiation exposure and cancer divides participants into two groups: those who are regularly exposed to higher-than-average levels of radiation on the job and those who are not. The nurse will follow both groups to see how many in each group eventually develop a form of cancer. What type of study is the nurse designing?

Accepted Answer

A)   Cross-sectional
B)   Case-control
C)   Intervention
D)   Cohort D

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of a cyclical trend in epidemiology?

Accepted Answer

A)   The birth rate throughout the history of the United States
B)   The predicted death rate in the United States for 2025
C)   The rate of RSV admissions in the fall of each year in the western United States
D)   The rate of RSV related deaths annually in the United States C

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a case series in epidemiology?

Accepted Answer

A)   Five men in Europe have died following the onset of similar symptoms of fever, convulsions, and uncontrollable bleeding.
B)   The influenza virus for the current year has symptoms of prolonged fever, malaise, and abdominal discomfort.
C)   The common cold is best treated with rest, increased fluids, multivitamins, and acetaminophen.
D)   Twenty percent of the population of Rhode Island has experienced similar symptoms of fever and upper respiratory infection. A

Question 4

If a population is identified to be high-risk for an untreatable condition, medical professionals have an ethical responsibility to screen individuals for the condition.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

If a screening test results in a significant number of false-negative results, the sensitivity of the test needs to be improved.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Which measure could not be determined using data from a cross-sectional study of obesity and type II diabetes?

Accepted Answer

A)   An estimate of the percentage of the population that exhibits both obesity and type II diabetes
B)   An estimate of the magnitude of the association between obesity and type II diabetes
C)   An estimate of the strength of the cause-and-effect relationship between obesity and type II diabetes
D)   An estimate of the percentage of the population that exhibits neither obesity nor type II diabetes

Question 7

A nurse researcher is designing an intervention study with two participant groups. Which of the following participant groups would be most appropriate for an intervention study of a new medication for patients with diagnosed hypertension?

Accepted Answer

A)   Group A receives the new medication for hypertension; Group B receives a new medication for hyperlipidemia.
B)   Group A receives the new medication for hypertension; Group B receives acupuncture and personal training to treat hypertension.
C)   Group A receives the new medication for hypertension; Group B receives a placebo medication.
D)   Group A receives the new medication for hypertension; Group B does not have hypertension but is treated for depression.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of a pandemic?

Accepted Answer

A)   An outbreak of cholera in Africa
B)   An outbreak of cholera in the Southern Hemisphere
C)   An outbreak of cholera in London, England
D)   An outbreak of cholera worldwide

Question 9

Which of the following groups would be used in a case-control study?

Accepted Answer

A)   A group with breast cancer and a group with brain cancer
B)   Two groups with breast cancer diagnosed at different times
C)   A group with breast cancer and a group without breast cancer
D)   A group younger than age 40 with breast cancer and a group older than age 40 with breast cancer

Question 10

A nurse is designing a community healthcare budget and wants to ensure that sufficient resources are allocated for children with birth defects. In order to set the budget, the nurse needs to determine which measure related to children with birth defects in the community of focus?

Accepted Answer

A)   Ratio
B)   Rate
C)   Data count
D)   Prevalence

Exam 8: Epidemiologic Designs: Using Data to Understand Populations