If 'HOSPITAL' is coded as 'JQTVIKCN', how is 'NURSE' coded?

Appeared in: DSSSB 6 September 2024

Explanation

The underlying logic is a uniform forward shift of each letter by a fixed number of positions in the alphabet.
By observing the letters that fit a consistent pattern in the example (H->J, O->Q, A->C, L->N), a +2 shift is identified as the intended rule.
Applying this +2 shift to 'NURSE' yields: N+2=P, U+2=W, R+2=T, S+2=U, E+2=G.
Combining these letters results in the code 'PWTUG', which matches the correct option.

Option A: This option is incorrect because the fourth letter is 'S'. According to the +2 rule, the fourth letter should be 'U' (S + 2 = U), not 'S'.
Option B: This option is incorrect because the third letter is 'V'. Following the +2 rule, the third letter should be 'T' (R + 2 = T), not 'V'.
Option D: This option is incorrect because the second letter is 'V'. Based on the +2 rule, the second letter should be 'W' (U + 2 = W), not 'V'.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing This question tests logical reasoning skills, specifically in the area of coding and decoding by letter shifting helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
This is a general aptitude question, not a clinical one.
Logical reasoning skills are essential for nurses for critical thinking and problem-solving in clinical settings, such as interpreting patient data and making sound decisions.
Many nursing entrance and recruitment exams include an aptitude section to assess these foundational cognitive abilities.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the relationship between the letters of the given word ('HOSPITAL') and its code ('JQTVIKCN').
Calculate the positional shift for each letter (e.g., H is the 8th letter, J is the 10th, so the shift is +2).
Observe that the pattern is inconsistent, which points to a likely error in the question's example.
Identify the most frequent or simplest pattern. In this case, a '+2' shift appears most often.
Hypothesize that the intended rule is a '+2' shift for all letters.
Apply this rule to the target word ('NURSE') to generate a new code.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: This question tests logical reasoning skills, specifically in the area of coding and decoding by letter shifting.
Stem keywords: HOSPITAL, coded, JQTVIKCN, NURSE
Lead-in keywords: how is

QTb-qnLlxFZX1H4Gg_IKpX

Practise the full DSSSB 6 September 2024

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