Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

In which instance would you use the term 'recrudescent'?

1. To describe persistent effort

2. To indicate a resurgence after a break

3. To represent endless activities

4. To highlight a failure

The correct answer is: To indicate a resurgence after a break

The term 'recrudescent' specifically refers to a resurgence or reactivation of a condition after a period of inactivity. It is often used in medical or biological contexts to describe the recurrence of symptoms or the return of a disease after an interval of improvement or remission. This nuance captures the essence of something that was previously dormant or controlled but has re-emerged. In the context of the other choices, while persistent effort and endless activities denote continuity, they do not encapsulate the idea of a return or resurgence after a break. Similarly, highlighting a failure does not align with the meaning of 'recrudescent,' which focuses on re-emergence rather than a lack of success. Thus, the definition closely aligns with the notion of coming back after a pause, making it the appropriate context for the term.