If an a certain code language 'SECTOR' is written as 'ESCTOR', then how will 'MOTHER' be written in that code?

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-2nd

Explanation

The coding pattern involves a simple transposition cipher where only the first two letters of the word are swapped.
In the example 'SECTOR', the first two letters 'S' and 'E' are interchanged to form 'ESCTOR', while the remaining letters 'CTOR' stay in their original positions.
Applying this rule to the word 'MOTHER', the first two letters 'M' and 'O' are swapped to become 'OM'.
The rest of the letters, 'THER', remain unchanged, resulting in the final coded word 'OMTHER'.

Option A: This option incorrectly swaps the third and fourth letters ('T' and 'H') instead of the first two, which violates the established pattern.
Option B: This option correctly swaps the first two letters but then incorrectly performs a second swap on the third and fourth letters ('T' and 'H'). The rule only specifies one change.
Option C: This option correctly swaps the first two letters but then incorrectly swaps the last two letters ('E' and 'R'). The pattern requires the rest of the word to remain unchanged.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning: Coding-Decoding by letter swapping as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While not a clinical question, this type of logical reasoning is a foundational skill for nurses, essential for quick, critical thinking and effective problem-solving in fast-paced clinical environments.
The pattern recognition tested here is analogous to a nurse's ability to identify patterns in a patient's symptoms, vital sign trends, or lab results to make informed decisions.
What if the code for 'SECTOR' was 'ROTSEC'? This would indicate a complete reversal of the word. In that case, the code for 'MOTHER' would be 'REHTOM'.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully analyze the relationship between the original word ('SECTOR') and its coded form ('ESCTOR').
Identify the specific rule or pattern of transformation. Notice that the first two letters, 'S' and 'E', have been interchanged, while the rest of the word, 'CTOR', remains the same.
Confirm the pattern: SE-CTOR becomes ES-CTOR.
Apply this exact same rule to the new word, 'MOTHER'.
Swap the first two letters, 'M' and 'O', to get 'OM'. Keep the remaining letters, 'THER', as they are.
Combine them to form the final coded word: 'OMTHER'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-2nd

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