The Public Health Department of a Developing Country Performs an Epidemiologic

question 128

Multiple Choice

The public health department of a developing country performs an epidemiologic study to assess the nationwide incidence of upper respiratory infections among children.  The data show a high rate of childhood bacterial pharyngitis.  Current practice guidelines indicate that a rapid test should be performed in children to identify the presence of bacterial antigens.  If this test is negative, a throat culture, the gold standard for definitive diagnosis, is then performed.  To offset cost and avoid losing patients to follow-up, the department is considering recommending the empiric use of penicillin for the treatment of suspected bacterial pharyngitis.  Which of the following would be expected to decrease after long-term implementation of this guideline?

• A)Deaths associated with diarrheal illness
• B)Diagnoses of serum sickness-like reactions
• C)Incidence of nephritic syndrome
• D)Need for cardiac surgery
• E)Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics

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Definitions:

Genetic Influences

The impact of genes inherited from parents on an individual's traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to certain conditions or diseases.

Hoarding Disorder

A psychological disorder characterized by the persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value, due to a perceived need to save them.

DSM-5

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association outlining standardized criteria for the classification of mental disorders.

RDoC

the Research Domain Criteria project, an initiative by the National Institute of Mental Health aiming to classify mental disorders based on dimensions of observable behavior and neurobiological measures.