ATI Hematologic System Related

Review ATI Hematologic System related questions and content

A study is designed to investigate the rates of central line–associated blood stream infections among pediatric hematology/oncology patients. Three common central line types (totally implanted catheter [port], peripherally inserted central catheter [PICC], and tunneled externalized catheter [TEC]) were included in the study. What data structure is central line type?

  • A. Continuous
  • B. Dichotomous
  • C. Nominal
  • D. Ordinal
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Nominal. Central line type is a nominal data structure because it represents categories without any inherent order or ranking. In this study, the central line types (port, PICC, TEC) are distinct categories with no numerical significance or order. They are simply different types of central lines used for medical purposes. Continuous (A) data involves numerical values with infinite possibilities, which is not the case here. Dichotomous (B) data consists of only two categories, while in this study there are three central line types. Ordinal (D) data involves categories with a specific order or ranking, which is not applicable to central line types as they do not have a natural order.