A nurse conducted a study of two skin lotions: (1) an inexpensive one

A nurse conducted a study of two skin lotions: (1) an inexpensive one and (2) an expensive one. The nurse found that there was a relative risk of 0.7 for skin sores using the inexpensive one and a relative risk of 1.2 using the expensive one.

Which skin lotion should the nurse use?
a.
Impossible to tell from the data given
b.
It made no difference which lotion was used
c.
The expensive lotion
d.
The inexpensive lotion

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: D
A risk factor of less than one means the factor is actually protective, so the inexpensive lotion is helpful in preventing skin sores. A risk factor of more than one means the factor increases risk, so using the expensive lotion increases the probability of getting a skin lesion.