PT150 S3 Q10 ExplanationChanges in Britain’s National Health Service

Answer choices, explained

1. A

   Cheats Paradox6% picked this

   Hospital staff typically develop an immunity

   This suggests that hospital staff aren't likely to be at risk from Acinetobacter on their clothes, but that's not what we're concerned about. The hospital officials are talking about risk to patients.

   6%
2. B

   Unclear Impact3% picked this

   Hospital patients infected with Acinetobacter can be isolated from

   This might mean that hospital patients won't spread Acinetobacter directly to other patients, but it might still be possible for hospital staff to spread Acinetobacter to other patients if the bacterium gets on their clothes. We need a lot more information to see if this would actually justify the hospital officials' belief.

   3%
3. C

   Opposite2% picked this

   Most hospital staff made use of the on-site laundry services before

   This actually makes the hospital officials' belief less convincing. If the opposite were true—if few or no hospital staff used the on-site laundry services—that would help justify the officials' belief. We don't want an answer that states the opposite.

   2%
4. D

   Correct85% picked this

   Hospital staff are instructed to use clothes dryers at temperatures high enough

   Why this is right

   This suggests a reasonable, alternative way for hospital staff to kill Acinetobacter on their clothes.

   Skill tested: Paradox · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   85%
5. E

   Irrelevant Comparison4% picked this

   Water in residential washing machines reaches temperatures high enough to kill all dangerous bacteria

   It's still possible that Acinetobacter could pose a danger to patients even if this answer choice is true. The way that residential washing machines affect other bacteria is irrelevant.

   4%