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Lifewings Partners:
What do pilots, astronauts, physicians, and risk managers have in common? In this case, they are all part of Lifewings Partners, an organization based in Memphis, Tennessee, dedicated to eliminating mistakes and accidents in medical settings across the United States.
Lifewings Partners highlights the need for vigilance in medical environments. According to the Institute of Health, approximately 98,000 patients die each year in U.S. healthcare settings due to medical errors. Examples of such errors include a man who had the wrong testicle removed in a Los Angeles hospital, a young boy who suffered brain damage from anesthesia during a routine hernia surgery, and a hospital in Rhode Island that performed brain surgery on the wrong side of the brain on three different patients in less than a year.
To combat these issues, Lifewings Partners not only advocates for internal changes in medical procedures and the establishment of checklists but also focuses on patient education. They recommend that consumers research a hospital’s safety record online, discuss safety standards with their doctors, and inquire about facilities with the best safety records.
Founder Steve Harden emphasizes, “Just because a hospital has a great reputation for cutting-edge medicine doesn’t necessarily mean the hospital is the safest place to go for routine procedures.” He warns that some mistakes are too significant and irreversible to risk, underscoring the importance of careful selection and preparation in healthcare settings.
Which statement could be inferred by the reader from the last paragraph of the passage?
- A. Procedures that Lifewings Partners recommends are always effective.
- B. Medical mistakes can happen at even the best hospitals.
- C. City hospitals know more than others about cutting-edge medicine.
- D. Medical mistakes will one day be completely eradicated.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The inference that can be made is that medical mistakes can happen even at the best hospitals.
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MRSA:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a form of the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium that is resistant to antibiotics and, as a result, is very difficult to treat. MRSA now kills more Americans every year than HIV/AIDS, and the rates of infection are rising. Methicillin, an antibiotic introduced in the 1960s, was intended to combat Staphylococcus aureus, which is ubiquitous in hospitals. However, within a year of its introduction, doctors began finding strains of bacteria that had already developed immunity to methicillin. By the 1990s, MRSA had become the leading hospital-acquired skin infection in the United States.
At the same time MRSA started appearing outside of hospitals, different strains of the bacteria emerged, spreading just as quickly and being just as dangerous. In the past 15 years, MRSA bacteria have become ubiquitous not only in hospitals but also in gyms, locker rooms, swimming pools, and other settings with frequent human contact.
Researchers in Ireland are developing technology that may significantly halt the spread of hospital-associated MRSA bacteria. They have created a textile made of nanomaterials 1,000 times smaller than a human hair. These textiles have been shown to halt the spread of infection and can be used for linens, drapes, and upholstery in hospitals. The potential for this technology to reduce instances of hospital-associated MRSA is staggering.
To reduce your risk of community-associated MRSA infection, regularly wash your hands, cover all open wounds with a clean bandage, and avoid sharing personal items like razors or towels.
Which statement would not be inferred by the reader in the passage about MRSA?
- A. Hospitals may soon limit the spread of infection with a new textile.
- B. MRSA begins by infecting the skin.
- C. You are most likely to contract MRSA in a crowded location.
- D. Used clothing stores may harbor MRSA.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Used clothing stores may harbor MRSA.' This statement is not supported by the passage. The passage mentions the spread of MRSA in hospitals, gyms, locker rooms, swimming pools, and other settings with frequent human contact, but it does not mention used clothing stores as a common location for MRSA. Therefore, it is an unlikely inference. Choice A is supported by the passage as it discusses the development of a new textile to halt the spread of hospital-associated MRSA. Choice B is also supported as the passage mentions MRSA as a skin infection. Choice C is supported by the passage as it states that MRSA has become ubiquitous in settings with frequent human contact.
ACUPUNCTURE:
Over the years, acupuncture has become a more widely accepted type of alternative medicine. It is used for a wide variety of ailments, and if a recent study from Germany is valid, relieving menstrual pain can be added to the continuously growing list.
Traditionally nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the typical treatment for menstrual discomfort. However, as many consumers and physicians are aware, NSAIDs have a number of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, rash, dizziness, headache, and drowsiness. Acupuncture rarely has any kind of side effects other than the occasional stinging sensation when the needle is inserted or a deep ache around it after it is in place.
Acupuncture has proven helpful with relieving a number of kinds of pain, so researchers at Charité University Medical Center in Berlin wanted to find out how effective it might be in combating cramps and other menstrual discomforts. More than 200 women were enrolled in the study, and after three months and approximately 10 sessions, the women who were treated with acupuncture reported significantly less pain than those in the control group who received no treatment at all. They also reported a 33 percent improvement in their symptoms.
Because of these findings, the researchers came to the conclusion that “acupuncture should be considered as a viable option in the management of these patients.”
What is the meaning of the word viable as used in the last paragraph?
- A. Reasonable
- B. Unresolved
- C. Contemporary
- D. Consistent
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Viable in this context means reasonable, referring to acupuncture as a valid treatment option.
BEAUTY THE BEAST:
In recent years, there have been frightening headlines about harmful ingredients such as mercury and lead in ordinary cosmetics. However, these are hardly the first examples of people paying a heavy price to conform to cultural ideals of beauty. This tradition has been around for centuries.
Ancient Egyptians decorated their eyes with malachite (a green ore of copper), galena (a lead sulfide), and kohl (a paste made from soot, fat, and metals such as lead). While these cosmetics may have enhanced their appearance, they also led to health problems such as insomnia and mental confusion.
The ancient Greeks took these practices even further. They applied lead to their entire faces to clear their complexions and improve skin coloration. This practice resulted in health issues ranging from infertility to insanity. The lead ointment whitened their faces�a sign of beauty�while red lead was added to the cheeks for a rosy glow. To make matters worse, they also used hair dyes containing lead.
The Romans adopted these toxic beauty practices, and some historians suspect that lead poisoning contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire. As recently as 2007, lipsticks and mascaras were found to contain lead and mercury. Additionally, phthalates�industrial chemicals that can cause birth defects and infertility�are present in personal care products such as shampoos, lotions, perfumes, and deodorants.
An old saying states that beauty has a price, and sometimes that price may be much higher than consumers realize. It is important to be aware of what you are putting on your face.
What is the meaning of the word conform as used in the first paragraph?
- A. Authorize
- B. Fit in
- C. Hand over
- D. Bewilder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this context, "conform" means to fit in with societal norms or standards, particularly those related to beauty. The passage describes how individuals may compromise their health to meet these cultural ideals, indicating that conformity relates to adhering to social expectations of beauty, making option B the correct interpretation.
THE FOOD PYRAMID:
The food pyramid is a visual representation of how the different food groups can be combined to form a healthy diet. Although it was a vital part of dietary guidelines for years before being replaced by the �MyPlate� model, the pyramid was constantly analyzed and revised as additional study was done in nutritional fields. A few years ago, the pyramid underwent a change regarding the unique dietary needs of seniors.
Modifications in the pyramid for older adults included an emphasis on fiber and calcium, as well as on vitamins D and B12. By incorporating these changes, the pyramid indicated that the nutrients found in a person�s routine daily consumption typically are not enough for seniors. Seniors need supplementation. As people age, they tend to move less and thus need fewer calories to maintain their weight. Because seniors tend to eat a more limited amount, dietitians urge them to choose wisely. They are encouraged to eat nutrient-rich meals featuring such foods as fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and high-fiber whole grains.
The revised pyramid also focused on the importance for older people of ingesting adequate amounts of fluids daily. This helps to ensure proper digestion and prevent dehydration. Finally, the revised pyramid included information on incorporating exercise and other physical activities into the lives of older adults. Suggestions included swimming, walking, or simple yard work. With recent reports indicating that obesity levels for people older than 70 years of age are climbing, performing some type of regular exercise is more essential than ever.
What is the meaning of the word supplementation as used in the second paragraph?
- A. Extra
- B. Organization
- C. Attachment
- D. Revision
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The term "supplementation" refers to the addition of nutrients to the diet. In the context of the passage, it highlights the need for seniors to receive extra nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D beyond what they typically consume in their diets. This reflects the understanding that seniors may not get sufficient nutrition solely from their regular meals, supporting option A.
Coffee Consumption During Pregnancy:
The health risks of coffee have long been debated, but a recent study has added another argument against too much coffee consumption. This study looked at the effect of drinking coffee on pregnant women. Conducted by physicians at Kaiser Permanente, the study explored the connection between caffeine and the risk of miscarriage.
This study followed more than 1,000 women who became pregnant within a two-year period. The amount of caffeine they drank was logged, as well as which women experienced a miscarriage. The results, as published in the January 2008 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, stated that the risk of miscarriage more than doubled in women who consumed 200 mg or more of caffeine per day—about what is found in two cups of coffee.
Why does caffeine carry this risk? Researchers are not sure, but they theorize that the caffeine restricts blood flow to the placenta. This, in turn, can harm the developing fetus.
Does this mean the physicians will start advising women to quit drinking coffee while pregnant? Yes and no. Some doctors will certainly take this report to heart and encourage their patients to stay away from more than one cup of coffee a day, just as they recommend not drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes. Others are not so convinced and doubt that this single study is enough to overturn the established guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Instead, they believe that a lot more research needs to be done.
What is the meaning of the word overturn in the last paragraph of the passage?
- A. Justify
- B. Invalidate
- C. Support
- D. Review
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Overturn in this context means invalidate, referring to whether the study is strong enough to change existing guidelines.