A public health nurse is educating a newly licensed nurse about sensitivity and specificity using a two-by-two table. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the table related to true positives?
"True positives are represented in the table cell that indicates the person does not have the disease and the test indicates disease."
"True positives are represented in the table cell that indicates the person has the disease and the test indicates the person has the disease."
"True positives are represented in the table cell that indicates the person has the disease and the test does not indicate disease."
"True positives are represented in the table cell that indicates the person does not have the disease and the test does not indicate disease."
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A: "True Positives are Represented in the Table Cell that Indicates the Person Does Not Have the Disease and the Test Indicates Disease."
This statement is incorrect. In a two-by-two table used to evaluate diagnostic tests, the cell representing true positives is where both the test result and the actual disease status are positive. This cell indicates that the test correctly identified individuals who have the disease. The statement here describes a false positive, where the test indicates disease, but the person does not actually have it.
Choice B: "True Positives are Represented in the Table Cell that Indicates the Person Has the Disease and the Test Indicates the Person Has the Disease."
This statement is correct. True positives are indeed represented in the cell where both the test result and the actual disease status are positive. This means the test has correctly identified individuals who have the disease. This cell is crucial for calculating the sensitivity of the test, which measures the proportion of actual positives correctly identified by the test.
Choice C: "True Positives are Represented in the Table Cell that Indicates the Person Has the Disease and the Test Does Not Indicate Disease."
This statement describes a false negative, where the person has the disease, but the test fails to detect it. This cell is used to calculate the test's sensitivity, but it does not represent true positives. False negatives are critical to understand because they indicate cases where the test missed the disease.
Choice D: "True Positives are Represented in the Table Cell that Indicates the Person Does Not Have the Disease and the Test Does Not Indicate Disease."
This statement describes true negatives, where the test correctly identifies individuals who do not have the disease. While true negatives are important for calculating the specificity of the test, they do not represent true positives. Specificity measures the proportion of actual negatives correctly identified by the test.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Identifying a support system to prevent the client from giving into the urge to smoke is crucial during the preparation phase of the Transtheoretical Model. In this phase, the client is ready to take action within the next 30 days and may start taking small steps towards quitting smoking. A support system, which can include family, friends, or support groups, provides the necessary encouragement and accountability to help the client stay committed to their goal. This support can significantly increase the chances of successful smoking cessation by offering emotional and practical assistance².
Choice B Reason:
Giving literature to the client who has expressed wanting to quit but is not yet ready to do so aligns more with the contemplation phase of the Transtheoretical Model. In the contemplation phase, individuals are considering quitting within the next six months but are not yet ready to take immediate action. Providing educational materials can help them understand the benefits of quitting and the steps involved, but it is not as relevant for someone in the preparation phase who is already planning to quit soon.
Choice C Reason:
Consoling the client for smoking a cigarette after having quit smoking 4 months ago is more appropriate for the maintenance phase. In the maintenance phase, individuals work to sustain their behavior change and prevent relapse. While offering support after a relapse is important, it does not align with the preparation phase, where the focus is on planning and preparing to quit smoking.
Choice D Reason:
Teaching the client who refuses to quit smoking about fire safety and cigarette smoking is not relevant to the preparation phase. This intervention might be more suitable for individuals in the precontemplation phase, where they are not yet considering quitting and need to be made aware of the risks associated with smoking. In the preparation phase, the client is already motivated to quit, so the focus should be on supporting their efforts to take action.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Recommend the Client Obtain a Part-Time Job
Recommending a part-time job might seem like a good way to keep the adolescent busy and help them integrate into their new environment. However, this approach may not directly address the underlying issues of depression and could potentially add more stress. Adolescents dealing with depression need professional mental health support to navigate their feelings and develop coping strategies.
Choice B: Arrange a Visit with a Neurologist
While a neurologist can help with neurological disorders, depression due to a recent move is typically a psychological issue rather than a neurological one. Therefore, arranging a visit with a neurologist is not the most appropriate intervention. The focus should be on providing mental health support through counseling and therapy.
Choice C: Encourage the Client to Engage in Physical Activity Such as Joining a Sports Team
Encouraging physical activity is beneficial for mental health as it can help reduce symptoms of depression and improve overall well-being. However, while physical activity can be a helpful supplementary intervention, it should not be the primary approach. Professional counseling is essential to address the root causes of depression and provide the necessary support.
Choice D: Schedule an Appointment with a School-Based Counselor
This is the correct intervention. A school-based counselor is trained to provide mental health support to students. They can help the adolescent process their feelings, develop coping strategies, and provide a safe space to talk about their experiences. Counseling is a crucial step in addressing depression and helping the student adjust to their new environment.

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