Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option. The soldier returned home ______ ten years?

Appeared in: JSSH Staff Nurse - 2019

Explanation

The preposition 'After' is used to indicate that an event takes place subsequent to a specific period of time.
In the given sentence, the action of the soldier returning home occurs at the end of the ten-year duration.
The use of the simple past tense 'returned' is consistent with an action that happened following the completion of the time period.

Option A: 'Since' is used to mark a starting point in time and is typically used with perfect tenses (e.g., has/have + verb), not the simple past tense for a completed duration.
Option B: 'From' indicates the beginning of a period. It doesn't fit the context of an action happening at the end of a duration.
Option C: 'About' means 'approximately'. While it can relate to time, it doesn't fit grammatically in the blank. The sentence would need restructuring, for example, by adding 'ago' at the end.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Prepositions of Time as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is a grammar question, precise language is critical in nursing for accurate documentation, patient instructions, and handovers.
For example, documenting that a patient 'walked after 2 days post-op' is very different from 'has been walking since day 2 post-op'.
Clear communication prevents misunderstandings that could lead to errors in care.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the sentence structure. The verb is 'returned' (simple past tense), indicating a completed action.
Next, identify the time phrase: 'ten years'. This is a duration, not a specific point in time.
Evaluate the options based on their grammatical function with time.
Consider 'After'. Does it make sense for an action to happen at the end of a ten-year period? Yes.
Consider 'Since'. This requires a starting point and usually a perfect tense. It doesn't fit.
Consider 'From'. This marks a beginning. It doesn't fit.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Prepositions of Time
Stem keywords: soldier, returned home, ten years
Lead-in keywords: most appropriate option
Clinical cues: The care setting changes urgency, monitoring level, and the expected nursing action.

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