Pick the word from the choices which is similar (synonym) to the word asked (assuming the word asked is 'compassion' or 'pity' given the options):

Appeared in: HSSC Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

The question asks for a word that is a synonym for 'compassion' or 'pity'.
'Sympathy' is defined as the feeling of pity or sorrow for the misfortune of another person.
This definition makes 'Sympathy' a direct synonym for 'pity' and closely related to 'compassion'.

Option A: The word 'Silly' means being foolish or lacking good sense. It has no connection to the meaning of compassion or pity.
Option B: 'Abtuate' is not a recognized word in the English language and therefore has no meaning.
Option D: The word 'Soft' typically refers to a physical quality (not hard) or a gentle manner. It does not describe the emotion of compassion or pity.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Vocabulary and Synonym Identification as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
In nursing, communication is key. While both sympathy and empathy are important, empathy is considered more therapeutic. Empathy involves understanding and sharing another's feelings, which builds trust and rapport.
Showing sympathy involves feeling sorry 'for' a patient, which can sometimes create a distance or a power imbalance.
What if a nurse only shows sympathy but not empathy? The patient might feel pitied rather than understood. This can hinder the development of a strong nurse-patient relationship and may make the patient less likely to share important information about their condition.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core task of the question, which is to find a synonym (a word with a similar meaning).
Infer the target word from the context of the options. The presence of 'Sympathy' suggests the target word is related to feelings like 'compassion' or 'pity'.
Define the inferred target word in your mind (e.g., Compassion: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering).
Evaluate each option one by one to see how its meaning compares to your definition.
Eliminate options that are clearly incorrect. 'Silly' and 'Soft' have unrelated meanings. 'Abtuate' is not a valid word.
Confirm that the remaining option, 'Sympathy', is a close match in meaning to 'compassion' and 'pity'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full HSSC Staff Nurse - 2015

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