Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.

The patient's condition was labile, so the nurses were told to keep a careful watch over him.

In this context, the word "adherence" means following or complying with something, in this case, the medication schedule.

The nurse instructed the patient that strict adherence to the medication schedule was essential, meaning that it was important for the patient to follow the schedule closely and without deviation. The option "stringent" means strict or rigorous, which aligns with the meaning in the sentence. The options "daily," "weekly," and "nominal" do not accurately reflect the intended meaning of the word "adherence" in this context.

A narcotic is a type of medication that can be habit-forming. It refers to drugs that have sedative or pain-relieving effects and can potentially lead to addiction or dependence. The spelling "Narcotic" is the correct and standard spelling for this word. The other options provided ("Norcotik," "Narkotic," and "Norcotic") are incorrect spellings.

Surveillance refers to the act of closely monitoring or observing someone or something, typically for the purpose of gathering information or ensuring safety. It involves systematic observation, often done in a discreet or secretive manner. The options "isolation," "cognition," and "assessment" do not specifically convey the meaning of placing someone or something under observation.

In anatomy, the term "ventral" is used to describe the lower surface of a structure. It is the opposite of "dorsal," which refers to the upper surface. "Inferior" refers to being lower in position, but it does not specifically indicate the lower surface of a structure. "Transverse" refers to a horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior parts, but it does not specifically refer to the lower surface of a structure.