DO Preventive Medicine and Public Health 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends colorectal cancer screening beginning at what age for average-risk adults?
- 45 years (Correct answer)
- 50 years
- 40 years
- 55 years
Correct answer: 45 years
In 2021, the USPSTF updated its recommendation to begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45 for average-risk adults, lowered from the previous age of 50.
Question 2: Which vaccine is recommended annually for all persons aged 6 months and older in the US?
- Influenza vaccine (Correct answer)
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- MMR vaccine
Correct answer: Influenza vaccine
The CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older because influenza strains change each year and immunity wanes.
Question 3: Primary prevention refers to which level of public health intervention?
- Preventing disease before it occurs (e.g., vaccination, health education) (Correct answer)
- Early detection of disease before symptoms appear
- Reducing complications of existing disease
- Rehabilitation after disease or injury
Correct answer: Preventing disease before it occurs (e.g., vaccination, health education)
Primary prevention targets healthy populations to prevent the development of disease through measures such as immunizations, smoking cessation counseling, and safety promotion.
Question 4: Sensitivity of a screening test measures its ability to correctly identify:
- True positives (patients who have the disease) (Correct answer)
- True negatives (patients who do not have the disease)
- The proportion of positive tests that are correct
- The overall accuracy of the test
Correct answer: True positives (patients who have the disease)
Sensitivity = TP / (TP + FN); a highly sensitive test rarely misses true cases and is ideal for ruling OUT disease when the result is negative.
Question 5: Which modifiable risk factor is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States?
- Tobacco use (Correct answer)
- Physical inactivity
- Obesity
- Excessive alcohol use
Correct answer: Tobacco use
Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in the US, responsible for approximately 480,000 deaths annually from cancer, heart disease, and lung disease.
Question 6: A 25-year-old woman presents for a well-woman visit. At what age does USPSTF recommend initiating cervical cancer screening with Pap smear?
- 21 years (Correct answer)
- 18 years
- 25 years
- 30 years
Correct answer: 21 years
USPSTF recommends beginning cervical cancer screening with cytology (Pap smear) alone at age 21, regardless of sexual activity onset.
DO Preventive Medicine and Public Health 1
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends colorectal cancer screening beginning at what age for average-risk adults?