Microbiology in Public Health MCQs

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: July 27, 2024

  1. Which of the following is a key responsibility of a public health microbiologist?
    a) Performing surgical procedures
    b) Conducting research on new antibiotics
    c) Monitoring and controlling outbreaks of infectious diseases
    d) Providing patient care in a hospital settingAnswer: c) Monitoring and controlling outbreaks of infectious diseases
  2. Which public health practice is essential for preventing the spread of infectious diseases through contaminated food and water?
    a) Vaccination
    b) Sanitation and hygiene
    c) Antibiotic prophylaxis
    d) Surgical sterilizationAnswer: b) Sanitation and hygiene
  3. Which organism is a common cause of foodborne illness and is often associated with undercooked poultry?
    a) Salmonella
    b) Escherichia coli O157c) Listeria monocytogenes
    d) Clostridium botulinumAnswer: a) Salmonella
  4. Which diagnostic test is commonly used in public health to detect and track viral infections such as influenza?
    a) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
    b) ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)
    c) Gram staining
    d) MicroscopyAnswer: a) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
  5. What is the primary method for controlling the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria in public health?
    a) Antibiotic treatment
    b) Vector control programs (e.g., insecticide-treated nets)
    c) Isolation of infected individuals
    d) VaccinationAnswer: b) Vector control programs (e.g., insecticide-treated nets)
  6. Which vaccine is crucial for preventing a disease that causes severe respiratory illness and is a major focus of public health vaccination programs?
    a) MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine
    b) Influenza vaccine
    c) HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine
    d) Hepatitis B vaccineAnswer: b) Influenza vaccine
  7. What is the purpose of surveillance systems in public health microbiology?
    a) To diagnose individual patients
    b) To monitor trends in disease incidence and prevalence
    c) To perform laboratory research
    d) To develop new antibioticsAnswer: b) To monitor trends in disease incidence and prevalence
  8. Which type of disease is characterized by its ability to spread quickly across multiple countries or continents?
    a) Endemic disease
    b) Epidemic disease
    c) Pandemic disease
    d) Sporadic diseaseAnswer: c) Pandemic disease
  9. What is the primary mode of transmission for respiratory infections like tuberculosis and COVID-19?
    a) Airborne droplets
    b) Fecal-oral route
    c) Bloodborne pathogens
    d) Vector-borne transmissionAnswer: a) Airborne droplets
  10. Which of the following practices is crucial for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in public health settings?
    a) Regular hand hygiene and disinfection
    b) Avoiding patient contact
    c) Routine use of broad-spectrum antibiotics
    d) Limiting hospital admissionsAnswer: a) Regular hand hygiene and disinfection
  11. Which organism is commonly monitored in water supplies to ensure the safety of drinking water?
    a) Escherichia coli
    b) Staphylococcus aureus
    c) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
    d) Pseudomonas aeruginosaAnswer: a) Escherichia coli
  12. In public health, what is the role of antimicrobial stewardship programs?
    a) To promote the use of antibiotics for all infections
    b) To monitor and optimize antibiotic use to reduce resistance
    c) To develop new antibiotics
    d) To administer vaccinesAnswer: b) To monitor and optimize antibiotic use to reduce resistance
  13. Which public health measure is effective in reducing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
    a) Universal vaccination
    b) Safe sex practices and condom use
    c) Regular hand washing
    d) Environmental sanitationAnswer: b) Safe sex practices and condom use
  14. What type of infectious disease is characterized by its continuous presence within a specific geographic area or population?
    a) Epidemic
    b) Pandemic
    c) Endemic
    d) SporadicAnswer: c) Endemic
  15. Which microorganism is commonly associated with the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections in patients with compromised immune systems?
    a) Candida species
    b) Clostridium difficile
    c) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
    d) Streptococcus pneumoniaeAnswer: a) Candida species

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