Select the word that will make the following sentence grammatically correct. The patients are resting comfortably; ___________, bed checks should still be done every half hour.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The word 'otherwise' is used to indicate that although the patients are resting comfortably, under different circumstances, bed checks should still be done every half hour. This maintains the correct logic and flow of the sentence, making it grammatically correct.
Choice A, 'despite,' would imply a contrasting situation that is not the intended meaning in this context. Choice B, 'however,' also implies a contrast rather than the intended conditional relationship. Choice D, 'afterward,' indicates a time sequence that does not fit the context of the sentence.