FMGE 2025 Practice Questions

Q: A study was conducted using office records over the past 20 years to compare the incidence of disease among factory workers exposed to aniline dye and unexposed clerical staff. What type of epidemiological study is this?

Retrospective study. ***Retrospective study*** - This is specifically a **retrospective cohort study** because it identifies exposed and unexposed groups (*aniline dye workers* vs. *clerical staff*) and uses past records (20 years) to determine the **incidence** of disease - Data collection and outcome assessment occur *after* the exposure and outcome events have already taken place, relying entirely on **historical records** - The key feature is looking **backward** using existing data to compare disease incidence between the two groups *Prospective study* - Involves defining the exposed and unexposed groups **now** and following them *forward* in time to observe the development of disease - Data collection starts at the time of study initiation and continues into the **future** - Not applicable here since the study uses historical records, not prospective follow-up *Case-control study* - Starts by identifying individuals *with* the disease (**cases**) and those *without* the disease (**controls**), then looks backward to assess exposure - Designed primarily to estimate the **odds ratio**, not the incidence - This study compares incidence between exposed and unexposed groups, which is characteristic of a **cohort** design, not case-control *Ecological study* - Compares disease frequency and risk factors at the level of *groups* or **populations** (e.g., countries, states), rather than individuals - This study specifically compares outcomes between two distinct **individual-level** employee groups (exposed vs. unexposed workers), not population-level aggregates

Q: A patient whose diet mainly consists of pulses and rice presents with bowed legs. Which of the following vitamins could have prevented this condition?

Vitamin D. ***Vitamin D*** - This vitamin is essential for the absorption of **calcium** and **phosphate**, minerals necessary for bone mineralization. - A deficiency results in **Rickets** (softening and weakening of bones in children), leading to classic deformities like **bowed legs (genu varum)**. *Vitamin A* - Vitamin A deficiency primarily affects vision, causing **night blindness** and **xerophthalmia**. - It is crucial for cell differentiation and immune function, but its deficiency does not cause **rickets** or bowed legs. *Vitamin B₁₂* - Deficiency leads to **megaloblastic anemia** and often **peripheral neuropathy** (subacute combined degeneration). - While essential for cell division and nerve function, it is not directly involved in the calcium homeostasis required to prevent bone deformities. *Vitamin C* - Vitamin C deficiency causes **scurvy**, characterized by impaired **collagen synthesis**, leading to bleeding gums and poor wound healing. - It is not the primary factor preventing defective bone mineralization (rickets) that causes **bowed legs**.

Q: What does the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) primarily indicate in water quality management?

Water balance: scaling vs corrosion. ***Water balance: scaling vs corrosion***- The **Langelier Saturation Index (LSI)** is a stability index that calculates the tendency of water to either precipitate **calcium carbonate** (scaling) or dissolve it (corrosion) on pipe surfaces.- LSI integrates several parameters (pH, temperature, alkalinity, and calcium hardness) to determine if the water is saturated (LSI ~ 0), oversaturated (LSI > 0, scaling), or undersaturated (LSI < 0, corrosive).*Total dissolved solids in water*- Total dissolved solids (**TDS**) is an input parameter needed to calculate the LSI, as it relates to the **ionic strength** of the water.- The LSI output is an indicator of the water's **stability** (scaling/corrosion potential), not a direct measure of the overall concentration of TDS.*Hardness of water only*- While **calcium hardness** is a primary component of LSI, the index also incorporates alkalinity, pH, and temperature to achieve a comprehensive saturation assessment.- LSI is fundamentally a measure of the chemical **equilibrium** of calcium carbonate in solution, which is a broader indicator than just the level of hardness minerals.*Presence of biological contaminants*- The LSI is a purely **physicochemical index** and provides no information regarding the presence or concentration of microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses.- Biological contaminants are assessed using specialized **microbiological testing** (e.g., coliform counts) to determine water safety.

Q: A factory worker sustained burns covering 25% of his body while on duty. He later developed infections and complications related to the injury. Under the ESI Act, which of the following benefits is he eligible for?

Temporary Disablement Benefit. ***Temporary Disablement Benefit*** - Burns sustained **while on duty** constitute an **employment injury** under the ESI Act, 1948, not a sickness or disease. - For employment injuries causing **temporary incapacity** for work, the worker is entitled to **Temporary Disablement Benefit (TDB)** at the rate of **90% of wages** for the entire period of certified incapacity. - TDB is payable from **day one** of the injury and continues as long as the temporary disablement lasts (subject to medical certification). - In this case, 25% burns with infections and complications would result in prolonged temporary incapacity, making TDB the appropriate benefit. *Extended Sickness Benefit* - ESB is provided only for **specified long-term diseases** listed under Section 55 of the ESI Act (e.g., tuberculosis, leprosy, chronic renal failure, mental illness). - It is **NOT applicable to employment injuries** like burns, which fall under separate disablement benefit provisions. - ESB is payable for up to **2 years** (309 days in any consecutive 2 benefit periods) after exhausting standard Sickness Benefit. *Sickness Benefit* - Standard Sickness Benefit applies to **certified sickness (disease)**, not employment injuries. - It provides cash compensation at 70% of wages for up to **91 days** in a benefit period for temporary incapacity due to non-occupational illness. - Since burns were sustained on duty, this is an employment injury, not sickness. *Dependants' Benefit* - This is a **periodic payment** to family members/dependents when an insured person **dies** due to an employment injury or occupational disease. - It is not applicable when the worker survives and is recovering from injuries.

Q: A group of experts delivered individual speeches on a common topic. There was no discussion allowed between them, and at the end, one person summarized the key points. What is this type of academic session called?

Symposium. ***Symposium*** - This format involves several experts presenting **individual, prepared papers or speeches** on different aspects of a single, common theme or subject - It is characterized by a **lack of immediate discussion** among the presenters, focusing instead on the delivery of pre-planned content - Typically followed by a **summary** or Q&A session with the audience, fitting the description exactly in this scenario *Panel discussion* - This involves a group of experts (panelists) engaging in a **structured, spontaneous discussion** about a specific topic, facilitated by a moderator - The defining feature is the **interactive debate and exchange of views** among the experts, which contradicts the scenario where 'no discussion was allowed' between them *Seminar* - Typically involves a smaller group or class led by one or more experts, focusing on the **specialized study and intensive examination** of a particular subject - Seminars are generally **highly interactive**, requiring active participation and discussion from attendees (students), often involving reading and prepared papers - Does not match the format of individual speeches without discussion *Workshop* - This session emphasizes the development of **practical skills and techniques**, usually requiring active participation and hands-on group tasks by the attendees - Centered on **experiential learning activities** rather than predominantly listening to individual presentations - Unlike the formal delivery of speeches described in the question

Question 1

A study was conducted using office records over the past 20 years to compare the incidence of disease among factory workers exposed to aniline dye and unexposed clerical staff. What type of epidemiological study is this?

Accepted Answer

Retrospective study

Answer

Case-control study

Answer

Ecological study

Answer

Prospective study

Question 2

A patient whose diet mainly consists of pulses and rice presents with bowed legs. Which of the following vitamins could have prevented this condition?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin D

Answer

Vitamin A

Answer

Vitamin B₁₂

Answer

Vitamin C

Question 3

What does the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) primarily indicate in water quality management?

Accepted Answer

Water balance: scaling vs corrosion

Answer

Total dissolved solids in water

Answer

Hardness of water only

Answer

Presence of biological contaminants

Question 4

A factory worker sustained burns covering 25% of his body while on duty. He later developed infections and complications related to the injury. Under the ESI Act, which of the following benefits is he eligible for?

Accepted Answer

Temporary Disablement Benefit

Answer

Extended Sickness Benefit

Answer

Sickness Benefit

Answer

Dependants' Benefit

Question 5

A group of experts delivered individual speeches on a common topic. There was no discussion allowed between them, and at the end, one person summarized the key points. What is this type of academic session called?

Accepted Answer

Symposium

Answer

Panel discussion

Answer

Workshop

Answer

Seminar

FMGE 2025

Community Medicine