Quiz: Ratios, Proportions, and Rates
Contains 25 multiple-choice and true/false questions.
Score for this quiz: 75 out of 75
Question 1
3 / 3 pts
The major disadvantage of crude rates is that:
they may not allow for comparison of populations that differ in size.
they do not permit comparison of populations that vary in composition.
they are difficult to calculate from available data sources.
all of the above
Question 2
3 / 3 pts
True or False? When the duration of a disease becomes short and the incidence is high, the prevalence
becomes similar to incidence.
True
False
Question 3
3 / 3 pts
Successful treatment programs that would shorten the duration of a disease primarily affect:
the prevalence of the disease
the incidence of the disease
both the incidence and the prevalence of the disease
none of the above
Question 4
3 / 3 pts
The incidence of a disease is five times greater in men than in women, but the prevalence shows no sex
difference. The most likely explanation is that:
the mortality rate is greater in women.
the case fatality rate is greater in women.
the duration of the disease is greater in women.
women receive less adequate medical care for the disease.
Question 5
3 / 3 pts
True or False? A prerequisite for using direct age adjustment is that the age-specific death rates in the
study population must be stable.
True
False
Question 6
3 / 3 pts
True or False? Calculation of the standardized mortality ratio is an example of the direct method of age
adjustment.
True
False
Question 7
3 / 3 pts
True or False? Certain diseases can occur more than once in the same individual during a stated period
of time. Repeated cases of the disease have no effect upon incidence rates.
True
False
Question 8
3 / 3 pts
An epidemiologic survey of roller-skating injuries in Metroville, a city with a population of 100,000
(during the midpoint of the year), produced the following data for a particular year:
Screenshot 2021-08-31 094016.png
The crude death rate for all causes was:
90/600 × 100,000
900/100,000 × 100,000
90/1,800 × 100,000
90/900 × 100,000
Question 9
3 / 3 pts
True or False? The crude death rate is defined as the number of deaths in a given year divided by a
reference population (during mid-point of the year) multiplied by 100,000.
True
False
Question 10
3 / 3 pts
An epidemiologic survey of roller-skating injuries in Metroville, a city with a population of 100,000
(during the midpoint of the year), produced the following data for a particular year:
Screenshot 2021-08-31 094016-1.png
The cause-specific mortality rate from roller-skating was:
90/600 × 100,000
90/100,000 × 100,000
90/1,800 × 100,000
90/900 × 100,000
Page: 138
Question 11
3 / 3 pts
An epidemiologic survey of roller-skating injuries in Metroville, a city with a population of 100,000
(during the midpoint of the year), produced the following data for a particular year:
Screenshot 2021-08-31 094016-2.png
The proportional mortality ratio (%) due to roller-skating was:
90/600 × 100
90/100,000 × 100
90/1,800 × 100
90/900 × 100
Page: 142
Question 12
3 / 3 pts
The risk of acquiring a given disease during a time period is best determined by:
the mortality rate from that disease in the 0-4 age group.
a spot map that records all cases of the disease in the past year.
the period prevalence for that disease during the past year.
the incidence rate (cumulative incidence) for that disease in a given period of time.
Question 13
3 / 3 pts
Which of the following reasons might account for place variation in disease?
Concentration of racial or ethnic groups within an area
Genetic and environment interactions
Influence of climate
Presence of environmental carcinogens
All of the above
Question 14
3 / 3 pts
Descriptive epidemiology has the following characteristics (Choose the incorrect option):
provides the basis for planning and evaluation of health services.
allows causal inference from descriptive data.
allows comparisons by age, sex, and race.
uses case reports, case series, and cross-sectional studies.
identifies problems to be studied by analytic methods.
Question 15
3 / 3 pts
A null hypothesis is most similar to which of the following?
Positive declaration
Negative declaration
Implicit question
None of the above
Question 16
3 / 3 pts
Which of the following statements most accurately expresses the breeder hypothesis for schizophrenia?
The conditions of life in lower-class society favor its development.
The conditions of life in upper-class society favor its development.
The illness leads to the clustering of psychosis in the impoverished areas of a city.
The illness is associated with increases in creative talents, which contribute to wealth-enhancing
achievements.
Question 17
3 / 3 pts
True or False? Health phenomena may show cyclic variations in a person's response to temporary
stressors.
True
False
Question 18
3 / 3 pts
True or False? WHO is a major source of information about worldwide international variations in rates of
disease.
True
False
Question 19
3 / 3 pts
Which of Mill's four canons suggests that there is an association between frequency of disease and the
potency of a causative factor?
Difference
Agreement
Concomitant variation
Residues
Question 20
3 / 3 pts
True or False? The three categories of descriptive epidemiologic variables are person, place, and time.
True
False
Question 21
3 / 3 pts
True or False? One of three main purposes of descriptive epidemiology is to aid in the creation of
hypotheses.
True
False
Question 22
3 / 3 pts
Descriptive epidemiology characterizes the amount and distribution of disease within a population and
enables the researcher to:
make direct tests of etiologic hypotheses
generate testable hypotheses regarding etiology
evaluate trends in health and disease within a population
All of the above
B and C only
Page: 159
Question 23
3 / 3 pts
Cyclic variations in the occurrence of disease may reflect:
Changes in exposure to infectious agents
Changes in the risk-taking behavior of persons
Changes in temporary stressors
Endogenous biologic factors
All of the above
Question 24
3 / 3 pts
True or False? Developmental problems such as congenital birth defects occur primarily late in life.
