The Doctor said, "Mr. Raman passed away yesterday evening." He means that Mr. Raman has

Appeared in: GMCH - 2015

Explanation

The phrase "passed away" is a widely used phrasal verb that serves as a polite and gentle euphemism for "died.".
In medical and formal contexts, it is often preferred to soften the impact of delivering news about a person's death, showing sensitivity and respect.
The phrase directly equates to the cessation of life, making "died" the correct interpretation.

Option A: This option interprets "away" literally as leaving a place. The phrasal verb "passed away" has an idiomatic meaning that is different from its individual words.
Option B: This option confuses the phrasal verb "pass away" with the verb "pass" when used in the context of tests or exams.
Option D: "Discharged" is a specific medical term for being officially released from a hospital. It does not mean death.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain English Vocabulary and Euphemisms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must use empathetic and sensitive language when communicating with a patient's family, especially when delivering difficult news like a death.
Using euphemisms like "passed away" instead of more direct terms like "died" or "expired" can demonstrate compassion and respect for the family's grieving process.
Effective therapeutic communication is a core nursing skill that helps build trust and provide psychosocial support to families during times of loss.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question that needs to be interpreted: "passed away."
Recognize that this is a phrasal verb, which often has an idiomatic meaning different from the individual words.
Recall or deduce the common meaning of "passed away" as a polite term for "to die."
Evaluate each option to see which one accurately reflects this meaning.
Eliminate options that provide a literal or incorrect interpretation, such as confusing "pass" with succeeding in an exam or "away" with leaving a place.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor pp. 950-952, 296-298

Practise the full GMCH - 2015

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