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REHS/RS NEHA Study Guide –
Revised Exam Questions And
Answers 202 5/
When gas pipe is leaking, what methods would be used by the technician to identify the exact point of leakage? - Answer Using soap bubble solution What is the graphic tool used by meteorologists to give a succinct view of how wind speed and direction are typically distributed at a particular location - Answer Wind Rose What is the lowest portion of Earth's atmosphere called: - Answer troposphere (a height of about 3.7-6.2 miles (6- 10 km) What three viruses cause the largest number of known cases of illness through contaminated food: - Answer Hepatitis, Rotavirus, Norovirus Shellfish poisoning is caused by a group of toxins produced by: - Answer planktonic algae (dinoflagellates, in most cases) What is the most widely accepted detection method for the saxitoxins (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning) around the world: - Answer mouse bioassay (not as useful in Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning or Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning) Pufferfish (also called "fugu" or "blowfish") are thought of as a delicacy - even though they contain this toxin: - Answer tetrodotoxin (in some types of pufferfish, some of the organs like the liver and skin contain tetrodotoxin; in some pufferfish the toxin is in the meat also; and some have no toxin at all) Compounds that cause neurological symptoms such as profuse sweating, coma, convulsions, hallucinations, excitement, depression, spastic colon - Answer Neurotoxins Compounds that produce rapid, transient nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea: - Answer gastrointestinal irritants mushrooms in this category generally are nontoxic and produce no symptoms, unless alcohol is consumed within 72 hours after eating them, in which case a short-lived, acute toxic syndrome is produced: - Answer disulfiram‐like toxins This is is a human illness caused by consumption of some subtropical and tropical marine finfish - Answer Ciguatera fish poisoning (caused by consumption of subtropical and tropical marine finfish that have accumulated ciguatoxins through their diets)
Powdered infant formula is not sterile, and its nutrients provide good conditions for the growth of - Answer Cronobacter (after reconstitution) Travelers diarrhea is caused by which E. Coli (acronym)? - Answer ETEC (Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli) Cholera is caused by which bacteria - Answer Vibrio (but not all Vibrio cause cholera) Q fever is caused by which food borne illness causing bacteria - Answer Coxiella burnetii (the CDC has declared it a Category B potential bioterrorism agent) Plant FOODS that are cooked for hot holding shall be cooked to a temperature of - Answer 135F How long must POULTRY, BALUTS, wild GAME ANIMALS (as specified under Subparagraphs 3 - 201.17(A)(3) and (4)), stuffed FISH, stuffed MEAT, stuffed pasta, stuffed POULTRY, stuffed RATITES, or stuffing containing FISH, MEAT, POULTRY, or RATITES be cooked at 165F? - Answer instantaneous Fish to be served raw must be frozen how cold for how long? (except some Tuna and aquaculture fish) - Answer - 4F for 7 days, - 31 for 15 hours, frozen to-31F until solid then stored - 4°F for 24 hours If immersion in hot water is used for SANITIZING in a manual operation, the temperature of the water shall be maintained at - Answer 171F or above Total alkalinity of swimming pools shall be maintained in the range of: - Answer 60 - 180 ppm (mg/l) the thick-walled, environmentally resistant structure released in the feces of infected animals that serves to transfer the infectious stages of sporozoan parasites (e.g., Cryptosporidium) to new hosts. - Answer Oocyst Milligrams per Liter (mg/L) is the equivalent metric measure to: - Answer parts per million (ppm) liable to ignite spontaneously on exposure to air - Answer Pyrophoric "RATITE" means - Answer a flightless bird such as an emu, ostrich, or rhea. Which organization requires cover for baking dough - Answer BISSC (Baking Industry Sanitation Standards Committee) The Registered Sanitarians are first and foremost: - Answer Educators
Which filter is BEST to use for small communities in developing areas and in rural locations? - Answer Slow sand filter Which filter is BEST for removal of Giardia cysts from low turbidity water - Answer Slow sand filter Microbial pollution travels only a short distance through: - Answer Smooth clay Backsiphonage may be prevented by all of the following methods except: - Answer Hydrostatic loops Which of the following is NOT REQUIRED at a water treatment plant? - Answer A Pre- incident Plan Giardia is classified as a - Answer protozoa Entamoeba Histolytica is a - Answer Protozoa Which is the preferred field test for a water system (for residual chlorine)? - Answer DPD Which is the measurement of the amount of light scattered by particles suspended in water test sample? - Answer Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) Which is transmitted by food or water? - Answer Hepatitis A What is another name for swimmer's itch? - Answer Schistosoma spp High concentrations of Nitrates in drinking water are: - Answer A possible cause of methemoglobinemia (Blue Baby Syndrome) Well head protection? - Answer casing, cap and surface seal If a water sample is chlorinated: - Answer Use a bottle with Sodium Thiosulfate (acts as a dechlor) Water sampling technique when transporting to the lab? - Answer sterile glass or plastic bottle is the most important (also using the right preservative is important) Which steps are correct in stream cleaning? - Answer Stream pollution (organic) is apparent along its length by a Zone of Degradation (just below the source), the Zone of Active Decomposition, and the a Zone of Recovery or Self-Purification. O2 decreased in Zone of Degredation suspended solids increased and sludge on the stream bottom.
Emergency water treatment? - Answer Boil for 1 minute. (100 degrees Celsius is 212 degrees Fahrenheit). Also can add suggested amount of chlorine per gallon of water and let sit for 30 minutes. Can also use 8 drops of iodine tincture per quart of water. Can also use 1 tsp of bleach per gallon of water The composition of soil under an OSS drainfield is very important in the removal of both viruses and bacteria. Which of the following soil conditions is most favorable for removal of viruses? - Answer Fine loamy sand over course sand or gravel NTU are most commonly used to? - Answer Determine turbidity What causes water hardness? - Answer Minerals (Dissolved calcium and magnesium bicarbonates, sulfates, and chlorides) Water containing Nitrates generally indicates? - Answer Evidence of agricultural pollution (Note: Ammonia in the water comes from decomposition of organic matter and is evidence of fresh water pollution.) Microbial pollution only travels a short distance through: - Answer Sandy loam or clay (most dense soil type) which of these techniques is used to properly seal a drilled well to prevent contamination of the water supply? - Answer Grouting One of the most common reasons for the contamination of the water supply coming from a drilled well through rock, clay or hardpan is; - Answer Failure to seal the well casing properly, improper grouting The flushometer valve is typically protected by? - Answer A non-pressure type vacuum breaker A physical cross connection? - Answer Is a connection which may permit/allow the flow from an unapproved (non-potable, ie. sewer) water supply into a potable (approved) water supply. Which type of filter is best to use to strain/remove amoebic cysts? - Answer Diatomaceous Earth Filter, Slow Sand and/or Cartridge What makes water have a color? - Answer Dissolved Solids The importance of surveys for new well water? - Answer determine the safety and adequacy of the water supply Lime can be used to treat high concentrations of: - Answer contaminants
What are the minimum requirements for a house? - Answer A) Sleeping rooms less than 40 sq ft B)living rooms less than 300 sq ft C) 1.5 people per bedroom (if one answer is 1.2 person per room choose that as the answer because it is not a min requirement (overcrowding in a bedroom - minimum is >or=2xbed+2)?) Temporary residence? - Answer Sleeping area of 40 sq ft Travel trailer parks? - Answer Roads a minimum of 18 feet wide, maximum 25 trailer spaces per acre, trailers 10 feet apart (Answer: all of the above) Exposure to formaldehyde can cause - Answer Irritation to the respiratory passage, contact dermatitis, disturbed sleep (all is the answer) Muerto Canyon Virus (MCV) is a hantavirus mainly carried by: - Answer Deer Mice The best humidity for a home: - Answer 40%-60% Building residents complaining of headache, lethargy, nausea, drowsiness - Answer Carbon Monoxide (CO) Lead absorbed how many more times in children than compared to adults? - Answer 5 times more Relative humidity measured by: - Answer Psychrometer Which place can we test radon in school? - Answer First floor (or lowest floor-basement is best) A BSC (biological safety cabinet) national performance standard has been developed by? - Answer NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) and UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Hand washing water temperature? - Answer 98 - 100 degrees F What are the effects of substandard houses? - Answer More accidents What measure should the sanitarian take if occupants of a building are complaining of skin irritations? - Answer Check HVAC system When will we start to take history during a food borne illness outbreak? - Answer 72 prior to the onset of symptoms Psychrophilic bacteria best grow in what temperature range? - Answer Below 45 degrees
Which one is used to kill bacteria by boiling? - Answer Sterilization (and pasteurization is heating and then immediately cooling) When we store food that contains spores of bacteria, the spores: - Answer Have no significant change Which one is the most common cause of food borne illness/outbreak? - Answer Salmonella Salmonella is a: - Answer Bacteria How can we control S. Enteritis (gastroenteritis) associated with eggs? - Answer Store and transport the eggs under refrigeration at an ambient air temperature of no more than 45 degrees In daycare center patrons, what is a common problem? - Answer Food poisoning The Fourth Amendment covers: - Answer Unreasonable/illegal search and seizure Which is the best place to store shellfish in a walk in refrigerator? - Answer Far from the entrance door (on a lower shelf) Which is not allowed in a school kitchen? - Answer Sanitizing towel Which one is not a recommended dishwashing detergent? - Answer Phenol What body part is the most likely to transmit disease? - Answer Hands What is a good indicator for good frozen foods? - Answer Tightened water and air (no crystallization) Which organism can be a test for the efficiency of canned foods? - Answer Clostridium botulinum What information is protected by HIPAA? (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act) - Answer Personal Medical Data What does negative phosphatase mean? (negative enzyme test) - Answer Proper pasteurization Egg heating? - Answer 145 (beef and fish too) When inspecting fresh fish, look for: - Answer Red gills In fried frozen chicken the critical point in HACCP principle is? - Answer Temperature to heat internally to 165 degrees
In a recreational area with gender bathrooms, what is the ratio of toilets per person? - Answer 200 per person A public park owner refuses to repair a sewage leak. What should the sanitarian do? - Answer File an injunction/summary statement If 100 people are attacked by a new disease of the total population of 70,000, the attack rate per person is? - Answer Prevalence Rate (# of people with the disease/total #of people in the population) x 100/70,000X100=.14% Incidence rate = (# of new cases of the disease/# of persons at risk) X 100 ---would be the same % Spa and hot tub maximum temperature is? - Answer 104 degrees A pool filtration system should filter the entire volume of water in the pool every? - Answer 6 - 8 hours Cyanuric acid additive is used in pools and spas to: - Answer Stabilizes the residual chlorine level. The addition of sodium bicarbonate is usually used to? - Answer Raise the alkalinity (raise the pH). What is a chemical that is commonly used to improve pool water clarity? - Answer Alum (aluminum sulfate) the best control of swimmer's itch (which is caused by a protozoa) at a bathing beach is to? - Answer Add copper sulfate What is the normal operating free chlorine residual used in regular practice for swimming pools? - Answer 1 - 3mg/L The ideal pH range for swimming pools is? - Answer 7.2-7.6ppm the fresh water line to a swimming pool must have what? - Answer The ability to fill the pool through an approved air gap Approved public swimming pools should have what? - Answer A pump that will re- circulate the contents of the pool every 6 - 8 hours, a filter that is designed for the output of the recirculation pump, a disinfection system capable of dosing an outdoor pool at 10mg/L (indoor pool 5mg/L) (CHOOSE ALL OF THE ABOVE.)
The recommended and most effective method of maintaining pool water quality is? - Answer Continuous recirculation, chlorination, and filtration. HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) requirement apply to? - Answer Voluntary clean up at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. What are the Levels of Emergency Warning (ER Planning and Response)? - Answer Level 1 - ALERT, Level 2 - EMERGENCY, Level 3 - GENERAL EMERGENCY (Level 1 is an alert to everyone that a hazard may exist, Level 2 is a site specific/area specific alert ER personnel only, and Level 3 is a general alert to all that ER does exist) The senior emergency response official responding to an emergency is called? - Answer An Incident Commander The US Dept. of Transportation (DOT) hazardous material regulations do what? - Answer identify the hazardous materials during the initial response phase of an accident. What is the number ONE item, listed under emergency equipment and supplies? - Answer Water (2 gallons of water per person) In case of disasters, the speed with which action may be implemented is dependent upon what? - Answer Prior plans for emergencies Emergency shelters should provide a minimum of how much space per person? - Answer 30 square feet per person What is the best way to protect a community drinking water supply/system from terrorist activity? - Answer Routine surveillance Which duty is most important for health personnel during a disaster? - Answer Medical and dental services Which are used as bioterrorist agents? - Answer Small pox and anthrax Which one is not considered the responsibility of the incident commander during a disaster incident? - Answer Finances During a disaster, Health Personnel are? - Answer First responders Which of the following is NOT a major source of sulfur dioxide? - Answer Electrical substations Which of the following is not a malodorous gas? - Answer Carbon Monoxide
What is the standard particle count for an urban area? - Answer 50, Concentrations of gases measured in terms of volume? - Answer PPM (g/ppm) What illness is caused fine silicate fibers accumulated in the lungs? - Answer Asbestosis Employer responsibility with HAZCOM Program (Hazard Communication)? - Answer Address hazards whether or not they are regulated by government standards. Doing a lawful thing in the wrong way. (Ie. closing down an establishment without first giving a required statutory notice or doing an authorized act in an unauthorized manner? - Answer Misfeasance Which amendment of the US Constitution protects a nonpublic area from unreasonable searches and seizures? - Answer 4th Amendment What is an action authorized by law to retrict or prevent the movement of goods for the protection of public health safety and welfare called? - Answer An EMBARGO Which of the following is the most effective technique for ceasing operation of a non- complying establishment? - Answer Mandatory injunction, revoking the license, injunction (all of the above is the answer) Environmental Impact Statements are required by which Federal Act? - Answer NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act of 1969) Rocky mountain spotted fever is transmitted by? - Answer Ticks; dog ticks Schistosomiasis is contracted by? - Answer Contact with contaminated water What is the genus name of a tick or hard body tick? - Answer Dermacentor What invades wounds in the form of a screw and can attach themselves into the skin of children's noses? - Answer Myasis Hantavirus is caused by? - Answer Deer mice What is the mode of transmission of Scabies? - Answer Direct skin-to-skin contact The basic principles of disease control include all of the following except? - Answer Use of antibiotics A water or food borne disease outbreak with a short incubation period is likely to be? - Answer Chemical
What is the best soil moisture for the survival of pathogens: - Answer 10 - 20% saturation What are the Toxins that attack the nerves - Answer Neurotoxin When the atmosphere contains less than 19.5% what PPE is required - Answer Self- contained breathing apparatus (Humans need Oxygen levels above 19.5 percent) House mice can carry the disease: - Answer Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, or LCM (it's a rodent-borne viral infectious disease) The most effective measures for mosquito control it to? - Answer Eliminate the breeding places. Which species appears to be the primary reservoir for hantavirus? - Answer Deer mice Soil sterilants are a type of herbicide which are? - Answer Absorbed by the plant through the root system House flies - Answer Only consume liquids and have to turn solid foods to liquids in order to ingest them. The most wide spread cock roach found in a restaurant is: - Answer A German Cockroach What is the most important aspect in controlling roaches? - Answer Maintaining good general sanitation The disease most likely transmitted to restaurant customers as a result of the presence of rats in the food prep area is? - Answer Salmonellosis Bubonic Plague was transmitted by? - Answer Oriental rat/oriental rat flea Dengue Fever is transmitted by? - Answer Mosquitoes Ehrlichiosis is caused by? - Answer Lone Star ticks (Amblyomma) Lyme disease is caused by - Answer A tick bite (ixodes is the genus name for the tick) Mus musculus is the genus name for? - Answer House mouse Which insecticides can be used inside an individual's home? - Answer Warfarin & Redsquil (1080 is PROHIBITED from use in homes by the general public)
What is a CT Scanner - Answer A combination of a computer and X-rays A principle which affects the external radiation protection includes? - Answer Distance, Shielding, and Time of Exposure (Choose ALL OF THE ABOVE) Sewage consists of over 99.9% by weight of what? - Answer Water Soils with a gradient exceeding 10% have severe limitations for the operation of subsurface disposal fields? - Answer TRUE What is the recommended detention time for wastewater in a septic tank? - Answer 24 - 72 Hours. When is an alternative wastewater treatment systems are considered? - Answer Space is limited and close proximity to surface water Which soil characteristic is unsuitable for subsurface absorption of wastewater? - Answer Mottled or redox Wastewater is the used water which comes from a home, business, or community and its strength is measured in what? - Answer BOD, COD and Suspended solids (choose ALL OF THE ABOVE) Which of the following are least important in reducing sewage to soil, liquids and/ or gases? - Answer Anaerobic bacteria The traditional absorption field should be laid in trenches not more than how far below the ground surface? - Answer 36 inches from the ground surface to the bottom of the trench material What is BOD - Answer BOD - Biochemical Oxygen Demand (is the amount of dissolved oxygen that must be present in water in order in order for microorganisms to decompose the organic matter in the water. Used as a measure of the degree of pollution.) Which complaint need response first? - Answer Report of illness and absence at day care Vibrio parahaemolyticus is most commonly found in - Answer Shellfish Amoebic dysentery is caused by - Answer protozoa / parasite vector for encephalitis (Chikungunya) - Answer Mosquitoes Vector for Dengue Fever - Answer Mosquitoes
Typhoid fever is caused by - Answer The housefly (Musca Domestica) Family has bites, itch and bump which is caused by all EXCEPT - Answer tick does not create itching bumps (louse, bedbug and mites all create itching bumps) Humidifier in nursery - Concern for sanitarian because - Answer moisture in the air to increase bacteria growth and cause infection, mold can grow Psychrophiles thrive in which temperatures - Answer 50F (or lowest temp given) What is a psittacosis - Answer Parrott This can withstand high heat for extended period so is perfect for testing the autoclave.
- Answer Bacillus stearothermophilus How do you test for Giardia - Answer Molecular testing Order from most important to least: Core, Priority, Priority foundation - Answer Priority, Priority foundation, Core What is the purpose of Emergency Guide Book from Department of Transportation? - Answer Quickly identify emergency hazards; deal with Transportation hazards within the first 30 minutes Which food can be saved after a flood: - Answer sealed canned food or retort Pouches What pest or vector is NOT a Health concern after a flood - Answer Spider What should the Cyanuric acid level be in a swimming pool - Answer 30 - 50mg/L What should the Chlorine level be in a swimming pool? - Answer 1 ppm in pools In a pool, which disinfectant is in active oxidation: - Answer Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) Fill and draw wading pool should be - Answer prohibited Calculation for pool turnover rate - Answer Pool Volume/Flow rate X 60 (minutes in hour)= Turnover Rate What temperature should you store pool test chemicals - Answer Store in a "cool" location and keep away from heat What temp do you store Pooled eggs that have not been treated for Salmonella - Answer 41F
What is a Cathode - Answer The electrode of an electrochemical cell at which reduction is the principal reaction. (Electrons flow toward the cathode in the external circuit.) What are the forms of corrosion protection for underground pipes? (NACE) - Answer material selection, system design, and coatings Soil with low-Resistivity are more or less corrosive then high-resistivity soils? - Answer Usually more What can stop alpha particles? - Answer A sheet of paper (or a few inches of air) How can you reduce lead poisoning? - Answer eliminating lead in paint Paint in house before 1978 - Answer contain lead Trichloroethylene is used in: - Answer solvents to remove grease from metal parts and as a chemical that is used to make other chemicals If the house has gas oven, need to check for smoke detector and what detector? - Answer CO2 detector Who regulates the disposal of Household Hazardous wastes? - Answer Local (exempt from RCRA) MCL stands for - Answer Maximum contaminate Level Prevalence rate - Answer is the proportion of persons in a population who have a particular disease or attribute at a specified point in time or over a specified period of time. What is a max permissible dose? - Answer Maximum permissible dose sets limits for adult radiation workers Silicosis Is caused by: - Answer silica dust The action of doing nothing despite finding a violation - Answer Nonfeasance Doing the wrong thing the wrong way - Answer Malfeasance A water treatment plant should have: - Answer A well-equipped laboratory, certified operator, and qualified chemist The basic principles of disease control are: - Answer control the disease source, mode of transmission, and susceptibility)
The MOST common cause of bacterial meningitis in kids under five - Answer haemophilis influenza type B Giardiasis is most commonly transmitted to others by - Answer contact with feces containing cysts from an infected person This is the measure of the amount of light scattered by particles suspended in water - Answer NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) The name for the occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness clearly in excess of expectancy - Answer epidemic What part of your body do you protect to avoid contracting Lyme Disease - Answer skin Escherichea Coli 015 7:H7 causes which Syndrome - Answer Hemolytic Uremic The basic principles of disease control are - Answer Control the source, mode of transmission, susceptibility The interval between exposure to an infectious agent and the first symptom - Answer incubation period what do vehicleborne, vectorborne, or airborne all have in common - Answer indirect mode of transmission laws enacted by elected officials of a nation or state are - Answer statutes law enacted by local elected officials, such as cities or counties - Answer Ordinances laws enacted by regulatory agencies, at any level, - Answer Regulations or Rules an order to cease and desist a particular action - Answer prohibitory injunction an order to take action - Answer mandatory injunction laws intended to prevent harm to society are - Answer Criminal laws Civil wrongs; injuries to a person, their property or reputation - Answer Torts What limits the maximum length of time that a person can be sued or charged for legal violations - Answer Statutes of limitations A principle that disallows illegally-obtained evidence to be administered in court - Answer exclusionary rule
