True or False: The MEDLINE database uses a vocabulary called MeSH to index articles.

The correct answer is that the statement is true. The MEDLINE database indeed utilizes a standardized vocabulary known as Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) for indexing articles. MeSH provides a consistent way to retrieve information that may use different terminology for the same concepts. This indexing system helps users effectively search for articles related to specific medical subjects by organizing them into a hierarchical structure of categories and subcategories. Consequently, when searching within MEDLINE, using MeSH terms can significantly enhance the precision and relevance of search results.

By contrast, the other choices present misconceptions. Not all articles indexed in MEDLINE require MeSH terms, but rather a vast majority do, which makes the assertion that only some articles use MeSH misleading. The option claiming that MeSH is exclusively for non-nursing literature is also incorrect, as MeSH includes terms relevant to nursing as well as other scientific fields in health and medicine. Thus, the reliance on MeSH in MEDLINE is a key element in effective research strategies when accessing scientific literature.