Statement: A large number of people die every year due to drinking polluted water during the summer.
Course of action:
I - The government should make adequate arrangements to provide safe drinking water to all its citizens.
II - The people should be educated about the dangers of drinking polluted water.

Appeared in: RML 2023

Explanation

The problem stated is a severe public health issue (death from polluted water), which requires a robust response.
Course of Action I is a direct, systemic solution. It is a primary duty of the government to provide essential services like safe drinking water to prevent disease and death.
Course of Action II is a necessary behavioral intervention. Education empowers individuals to make safer choices and understand the risks, which is crucial even when infrastructure is in place.
Both actions are complementary, not mutually exclusive. Infrastructure (I) and education (II) together form a comprehensive public health strategy to solve the problem.

Option A: This option is incorrect because it is incomplete. While providing safe water is essential, it is not sufficient on its own. Without education, people might not understand the importance of using the safe source or may continue unsafe practices, undermining the effort.
Option B: This option is incorrect because it is also incomplete. Educating people is futile if they have no alternative to the polluted water source. Awareness of danger without a viable solution can lead to helplessness rather than prevention.
Option C: This option is incorrect because it suggests that either action alone would be sufficient. Given the severity of the problem (death), a multi-pronged approach is required. The two actions are not interchangeable; they are both necessary components of a complete solution.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning: Course of Action as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This logical problem mirrors real-world public health strategy. Community health nurses are central to implementing Course of Action II through health education campaigns on sanitation, hygiene, and the dangers of contaminated water.
Data on deaths from waterborne diseases (e.g., cholera, typhoid) collected by healthcare professionals provides the evidence base needed to advocate for government action as described in Course of Action I.
In the Indian context, programs like the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (Jal Jeevan Mission) are examples of Course of Action I, while ASHA workers conducting village health meetings represent Course of Action II.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully read the statement and identify the central problem. The problem here is 'a large number of deaths' and the cause is 'drinking polluted water'.
Next, evaluate each course of action independently. Ask yourself: 'Is this a logical and practical step to solve the identified problem?'
Analyze Course of Action I: Providing safe water is a direct solution to the problem of polluted water. This is a valid action.
Analyze Course of Action II: Educating people about the dangers helps prevent them from drinking polluted water. This is also a valid action.
Finally, consider the relationship between the two actions. Do they conflict? Are they alternatives? Or do they complement each other? Here, they are complementary and both are needed for a complete solution.
Based on this, select the option that reflects that both actions are valid and should be followed.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) pp. 23-25, 28-30

Practise the full RML 2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.