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Epidemiology Ch 10 Study Question

Terms in this set (15)

Each of the following tend to characterize an epidemiology field except:
A) The problem is unexpected
B) A timely response is demanded
C) The epidemiologist's presence in the field is required to solve the problem
D) When there are several confirmed cases, it may be sufficient to identify other people as cases if they display the same signs and symptoms
E) All of the above are true
E, all of the above are true
Match the following definitions with (A) epidemic, (B) outbreak, or
(C) cluster.
1) ____ Often synonymous with epidemic; sometimes the preferred word because it may escape the sensationalism associated with the word epidemic. It also applies when the scope of the disease is limited.
2) ____ The occurence of a disease within a specific community or region that is clearly in excess of the expected level for a given time period.
3) ____ An aggregation of cases of a disease or other health-related condition, particularly cancer and birth defects, that are closely grouped in time and place.
1) B
2) A
3) C
What is the most common statistic to use for investigating an outbreak?
Attack rate
How would you classify an epidemic if the epidemic curve showed a rapid rise, peak, and gradual decrease?
...
List at least three things that should be done in preparing for fieldwork.
1) The process of decision making
2) team members respective roles
3) making financial and travel arrangements
4) identifying and making contact with persons or groups in the field, on both state and local levels
Where might the epidemiologist search for cases that have not been identified?
Doctors, free clinics, hospital records, etc.
What information should be combined with disease frequency data?
To calculate attack rates, the size of the at-risk population needs to be combined with the disease frequency data
What is the primary purpose of providing a final report in a field investigation?
The report typically presents a narrative of the investigation and a review of the course of the epidemic in the form of a case study.
A "good" final report in a field investigation should include all of the following except:
A) A description of the intervention and its effects.
B) A review of the course of the epidemic in the form of a case study.
C) A comparison of the hypothesis with the established facts.
D) Tables, graphs, and charts.
E) A "good" final report should include all of these things.
A
List and describe the four-stage processes of cluster investigation as described by the CDC.
1) Initial response
2) Assessment
3) Major feasibility study
4) Etiologic investigation
In which stage of the four-stage process of a cluster investigation are attack rates calculated?
Attack rates are typically calculated during the preliminary evaluation of stage two of a cluster investigation
Why are rates sometimes preferred to counts?
Rates are preferred to counts because they take into account the population size and can be effectively compared with rates in other time periods or places. Rates are also useful for determining whether the putative cluster is actually unusual.
What are two statistical challenges in cluster investigation?
The primary statistical challenge with cluster investigations involves the fact that most cluster analyses involve post hoc rather than a priori hypotheses.

A second challenge is that rates have the danger of being overestimated because of boundary shrinkage of the population where the cluster is presumed to exist.
What is the primary distinction between a cluster and a sentinel health-related state or event?
A disease cluster is an unusual aggregation, real or perceived, of health events that are grouped together in time and space and that are reported to a health agency.

Sentinel events are occurrences of unexpected health-related states or events that occur from specific, recognized causes; the adverse health outcome has a known cause.
Match (A) initial response, (B) assessment, (C) major feasibility study, and (D) etiologic investigation with the following definitions:
1) ____ New diagnostic procedures may explain a cluster
2) ____ Consider the resource requirements of the study
3) ____ Determine the required case and control data needed, which should include laboratory and physical measurements.
4) ____ Conduct a preliminary evaluation to determine whether an excess of the health problem exists.
5) ____ Ensure a written response to the concern will be received
6) ____ Consider criteria for establish a cause-effect relationship
1) A
2) C
3) C
4) D
5) A
6) D
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