Non-Communicable Diseases — MCQs

Non-Communicable Diseases Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 611: What is the primary method of primordial prevention for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?

A. Lifestyle change (Correct Answer)
B. Coronary bypass
C. Treatment of CAD
D. Screening for hypertension

Explanation: ***Lifestyle change*** - **Primordial prevention** aims to prevent the development of risk factors themselves, which is best achieved through promoting healthy behaviors like diet, exercise, and avoiding tobacco at the population level. - This approach acts *before* the onset of risk factors, addressing societal and environmental determinants of health. - Examples include promoting healthy eating habits in schools, creating walkable communities, and tobacco-free environments. *Coronary bypass* - **Coronary bypass surgery** is a treatment for established CAD with significant blockages, not a preventive measure. - It falls under the category of **tertiary prevention**, aiming to reduce complications and improve quality of life in existing disease. *Treatment of CAD* - **Treating CAD** (e.g., medications like statins or antiplatelets, procedures like angioplasty) is a form of **secondary** or **tertiary prevention**. - It focuses on managing existing disease or preventing its progression, rather than preventing the initial development of risk factors. *Screening for hypertension* - **Screening** is a form of **secondary prevention** aimed at early detection of risk factors or disease. - While important, it occurs *after* risk factors have already developed, unlike primordial prevention which prevents risk factors from emerging.

Question 612: A patient prescribed crutches for residual paralysis in poliomyelitis is a type of -

A. Rehabilitation (Correct Answer)
B. Preventive strategies to eliminate risk factors
C. Measures to reduce the impact of a disability
D. Preventive measures to avoid disease onset

Explanation: ***Rehabilitation*** - Prescribing crutches for residual **paralysis** due to poliomyelitis is a classic example of **rehabilitation**, a component of **tertiary prevention** in public health. - Rehabilitation is the formal medical and public health term for the comprehensive process of restoring function and maximizing independence after an illness or injury has caused permanent impairment. - This intervention focuses on enhancing the patient's physical abilities, mobility, and **quality of life** despite the existing permanent disability. *Preventive strategies to eliminate risk factors* - This option refers to **primordial prevention** - actions taken to prevent the emergence of risk factors in the population (e.g., policy interventions, environmental modifications). - The patient already has **residual paralysis** from poliomyelitis, indicating the disease has occurred and its permanent effects are being managed, not prevented. *Measures to reduce the impact of a disability* - While this accurately describes what crutches functionally achieve, it is a **descriptive phrase** rather than the formal public health/medical terminology being tested. - **Rehabilitation** is the proper, established term that encompasses all measures to reduce disability impact through systematic therapeutic interventions. - In medical terminology and examination contexts, "rehabilitation" is the precise answer, whereas this option describes the outcome rather than naming the intervention category. *Preventive measures to avoid disease onset* - This describes **primary prevention**, such as vaccination against polio to prevent the infection in the first place. - The patient is already experiencing the consequences of the disease (**residual paralysis**), so the focus is on recovery and adaptation through tertiary prevention, not preventing initial disease occurrence.

Question 613: Which of the following is not a measure of primary prevention of hypertension?

A. Exercise promotion
B. Reduction of salt intake
C. Weight reduction
D. Early diagnosis of hypertension (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Early diagnosis of hypertension*** - **Early diagnosis** is a measure of **secondary prevention**, aiming to detect and manage a condition that has already developed but is not yet symptomatic or severe. - **Primary prevention** aims to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place, whereas secondary prevention seeks to halt its progression. *Weight reduction* - **Weight reduction** is a key lifestyle modification that can prevent the development of **hypertension**, especially in individuals with overweight or obesity. - Maintaining a **healthy weight** reduces the strain on the cardiovascular system and can normalize blood pressure. *Exercise promotion* - Promoting **regular physical activity** helps to improve cardiovascular health, maintain a healthy weight, and **lower blood pressure**, thereby preventing hypertension. - **Aerobic exercise** strengthens the heart and makes blood vessels more elastic, reducing the risk of developing high blood pressure. *Reduction of salt intake* - **Reducing dietary salt intake** is a well-established strategy to prevent hypertension, as excessive sodium contributes to fluid retention and increased blood pressure. - Limiting **sodium** in the diet can significantly lower the risk of developing hypertension, particularly in salt-sensitive individuals.

Question 614: Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended when?

A. The condition has a low case fatality rate.
B. Diagnostic tools are not available.
C. There is no effective treatment available.
D. Early diagnosis can change the disease course due to effective treatment. (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Early diagnosis can change the disease course due to effective treatment.*** - Screening is primarily recommended when **early detection** allows for interventions that effectively alter the natural history of the disease, improving prognosis or preventing progression. - For colorectal cancer, early diagnosis through screening allows for timely removal of **precancerous polyps** or early-stage cancers, significantly increasing survival rates. *The condition has a low case fatality rate.* - Conditions with low case fatality rates generally do not warrant extensive screening programs, as the **benefit-to-harm ratio** is often unfavorable. - Colorectal cancer, if undiagnosed and untreated, has a significant **case fatality rate**, making screening beneficial. *Diagnostic tools are not available.* - Screening is only conducted when **reliable, accurate, and cost-effective diagnostic tools** are available to detect the disease or its precursors in asymptomatic individuals. - If diagnostic tools are unavailable, screening would be impossible or ineffective, as there would be no way to identify those with the condition. *There is no effective treatment available.* - Screening is not typically recommended for diseases for which there is **no effective treatment**, as early detection would not improve patient outcomes. - The primary purpose of screening is to identify individuals who can benefit from **early intervention** and treatment to prevent serious morbidity or mortality.

Question 615: A concept directed against the development of risk factors of coronary artery disease is -

A. Primordial prevention (Correct Answer)
B. Primary prevention
C. Secondary prevention
D. Health education

Explanation: ***Primordial prevention*** - **Primordial prevention** targets the prevention of the emergence of **risk factors** in the first place, often by addressing social, environmental, and behavioral determinants before they become established. - In the context of coronary artery disease, this would involve preventing the development of risk factors like **obesity**, **hypertension**, and **unhealthy diets** from an early age, even in populations that have not yet developed them. *Health education (general awareness and behavior change)* - While health education is a *method* used in prevention, it is not a level of prevention itself. - It contributes to various levels of prevention, including primordial and primary, by raising **awareness** and promoting **behavior change**. *Primary prevention (preventing disease onset)* - **Primary prevention** focuses on preventing the *onset* of disease in individuals who are already exposed to or have **risk factors**. - For coronary artery disease, this would include interventions like **blood pressure control** or **cholesterol management** in individuals already at risk. *Secondary prevention (early detection and management)* - **Secondary prevention** aims at early **detection** and prompt **management** of an existing disease to prevent its progression or complications. - In coronary artery disease, this would involve screening for asymptomatic heart disease or managing established CAD to prevent events like **heart attacks**.

Question 616: World Heart Day is celebrated on?

A. 29th September (Correct Answer)
B. 28th September
C. 8th September
D. 1st December

Explanation: ***29th September*** - **World Heart Day** is an annual event observed globally on this date to raise awareness about **cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)** including heart disease and stroke - Established by the **World Heart Federation** to promote heart health and encourage preventive measures through lifestyle modification - The day aims to reduce the global burden of CVD through education about risk factors and healthy living *28th September* - This date is not recognized as World Heart Day - Often confused due to proximity to the actual date (29th September) *8th September* - **World Physiotherapy Day** is celebrated on this date, focusing on the role of physical therapy in health and well-being - While physical activity is crucial for cardiovascular health, this is a distinct observance from World Heart Day *1st December* - **World AIDS Day** is observed on this date to raise awareness about the AIDS pandemic and HIV infection - This date is unrelated to cardiovascular health awareness

Question 617: Goal of Prudent diet: Total Cholesterol to HDL ratio should be less than:

A. 4.5
B. 1.5
C. 2.5
D. 3.5 (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***3.5*** - A total cholesterol to HDL ratio of less than **3.5** is generally considered optimal for reducing the risk of **atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)**. - This ratio reflects a favorable balance with higher levels of **high-density lipoprotein (HDL)**, often referred to as "good cholesterol". *1.5* - While a ratio of 1.5 would indicate excellent lipid health, it is an **unrealistically low** and rarely achievable target for most individuals through lifestyle changes alone. - This value is significantly below typical healthy ranges and is not a standard goal for a **prudent diet**. *4.5* - A ratio of **4.5** or higher indicates an **increased risk** of cardiovascular disease, suggesting a less favorable lipid profile. - This value is generally considered **suboptimal** and would be a target for intervention rather than a goal of a prudent diet. *2.5* - A ratio of 2.5 would be considered a **very good** and healthy lipid profile, indicating a low risk of cardiovascular disease. - Although beneficial, the standard guideline for a healthy target is typically less than **3.5**, making 2.5 a more aggressive but still positive target.

Practice by Chapter

Epidemiology of NCDs

Practice Questions

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

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Diabetes Control Program

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Cancer Screening and Control

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Chronic Respiratory Diseases

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Mental Health Program

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Blindness Control Program

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Accident and Injury Prevention

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NCD Risk Factor Surveillance

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National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, CVD, and Stroke

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Oral Health Program

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Geriatric Health Issues

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