A public health nurse is participating in a research study to determine how virulent a new virus is. Which of the following mortality measures should the nurse use to calculate this data?
Cause-specific mortality rate
Age-specific mortality rate*
Proportionate mortality
Case fatality
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason:
The cause-specific mortality rate measures the number of deaths attributed to a specific cause within a population during a given time period. While this measure is useful for understanding the impact of a particular disease on a population, it does not directly indicate the virulence of a virus. Virulence refers to the severity or harmfulness of a disease, which is better captured by the case fatality rate.
Choice B Reason:
The age-specific mortality rate calculates the number of deaths within specific age groups in a population. This measure helps identify age-related mortality trends but does not provide information about the virulence of a virus. Age-specific mortality rates are more useful for understanding the impact of diseases across different age demographics rather than assessing the severity of a new virus.
Choice C Reason:
Proportionate mortality refers to the proportion of deaths in a population attributable to a specific cause relative to all deaths. This measure helps in understanding the relative importance of different causes of death but does not directly measure the virulence of a virus. Proportionate mortality is more about the distribution of causes of death rather than the severity of a particular disease.
Choice D Reason:
Case fatality rate (CFR) is the most appropriate measure for determining the virulence of a new virus. CFR is calculated by dividing the number of deaths caused by the disease by the number of diagnosed cases of the disease, then multiplying by 100 to get a percentage. This measure directly indicates the lethality of the virus by showing the proportion of diagnosed cases that result in death. It is a critical indicator for assessing the severity and potential impact of a new infectious disease.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
A client who has health insurance but requires a supplemental policy is not typically eligible for Medicaid based solely on this need. Medicaid is designed to provide health coverage for individuals with low income and limited resources. While supplemental policies can help cover additional costs, they do not qualify someone for Medicaid.
Choice B Reason:
A client whose income is below the poverty line is eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid is a means-tested program that provides health coverage to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility is primarily based on income and, in some cases, other factors such as disability or family status. This choice aligns with the primary eligibility criteria for Medicaid.
Choice C Reason:
A client who has health insurance from their job but is recently unemployed may qualify for Medicaid if their income falls below the eligibility threshold. However, the key factor is the income level, not the employment status alone. If the client's income remains above the poverty line despite unemployment, they may not qualify for Medicaid.
Choice D Reason:
A client who is a young adult between the ages of 18 to 25 does not automatically qualify for Medicaid based on age alone. Eligibility for Medicaid is primarily determined by income and other specific criteria. While some young adults may qualify under certain circumstances, age alone is not a determining factor.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Research indicating that a screening is not warranted at this time and may be harmful aligns with a Grade D recommendation from the USPSTF. Grade D recommendations suggest that the service has no net benefit or that the harms outweigh the benefits, and therefore, it should be discouraged.
Choice B Reason:
A Grade C recommendation from the USPSTF means that the service should be selectively offered or provided to individual patients based on professional judgment and patient preferences. There is at least moderate certainty that the net benefit is small. This means that while there is some benefit, it is not substantial enough to recommend the service for all individuals.
Choice C Reason:
The statement that there is not enough evidence to determine if a screening is helpful or not corresponds to a Grade I (Insufficient) recommendation. This grade indicates that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of the service. More research is needed to make a definitive recommendation.
Choice D Reason:
Research indicating that a screening exam is beneficial aligns with a Grade A or B recommendation. Grade A recommendations suggest high certainty that the net benefit is substantial, while Grade B recommendations suggest high certainty that the net benefit is moderate or there is moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate to substantial.
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