The population health nurse is trying to identify the causative relati

The population health nurse is trying to identify the causative relationship for a group of school students who developed viral meningitis. Which criterion must the nurse identify to prove causation for the development of the disease in these students?

1. Coherence.
2. Specificity.
3. Consistency.
4. Temporal relationship.

ESSAYBID ANSWER

Answer: 4
Explanation: 4. Only the criterion of a correct temporal relationship is absolutely required for attributing causation. Temporal relationship is the time between the factor and the result condition. The factor thought to be causative should occur before the condition occurs. Coherence is the idea that one condition that causes another must be logical and should be congruent with other known facts. Specificity is present when the factor in question results in one specific condition. Consistency is when the condition in question occurs when the factor is present and not when it is absent.