COMAT Preventive Medicine and Public Health

Question 1

According to the 2021 USPSTF update, at what age should average-risk individuals begin colorectal cancer screening?

Accepted Answer

45 years

Answer

The USPSTF updated its 2021 recommendation to begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45 for average-risk adults, lowering it from the prior age of 50.

Question 2

Which herpes zoster vaccine is preferred for adults aged 50 and older due to its greater than 90% efficacy?

Accepted Answer

Shingrix (recombinant subunit)

Answer

Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine, RZV) is the preferred vaccine for herpes zoster prevention in adults ≥50 years, with >90% efficacy across age groups.

Question 3

In epidemiology, which measure quantifies the proportion of new disease cases arising in a susceptible population over a defined time period?

Accepted Answer

Incidence rate

Answer

Incidence rate measures the proportion of new cases developing in a population at risk during a specified time period, distinct from prevalence which includes existing cases.

Question 4

When disease prevalence in a population is very low (1%), a screening test with 90% sensitivity and 80% specificity will most likely produce which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Many false positive results relative to true positives

Answer

At very low disease prevalence, even a moderately specific test generates many false positives for each true positive, resulting in a low positive predictive value.

Question 5

Which level of prevention involves early detection and treatment of asymptomatic disease through screening programs?

Accepted Answer

Secondary prevention

Answer

Secondary prevention encompasses screening and early detection strategies aimed at identifying disease in asymptomatic individuals before symptoms develop.

COMAT - Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Achievement Test Practice Test

COMAT - Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Achievement Test Practice Test

COMAT Preventive Medicine and Public Health