10th edition official guide-q 87

Nidhs · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:05 pm Post subject: 10th edition official guide-q 87

In tests for pironoma, a serious disease, a false positive result indicates that people have pironoma when, in
fact, they do not; a false negative result indicates that people do not have pironoma when, in fact, they do. To
detect pironoma most accurately, physicians should use the laboratory test that has the lowest proportion of
false positive results.
Which of the following, if true, gives the most support to the recommendation above?
(A) The accepted treatment for pironoma does not have damaging side effects.
(B) The laboratory test that has the lowest proportion of false positive results causes the same minor side
effects as do the other laboratory tests used to detect pironoma.
(C) In treating pironoma patients, it is essential to begin treatment as early as possible, since even a week of
delay can result in loss of life.
(D) The proportion of inconclusive test results is equal for all laboratory tests used to detect pironoma.
(E) All laboratory tests to detect pironoma have the same proportion of false negative results.

Can someone please explain the above CR?

simplyjat · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:26 pm Post subject:

Both false positive and false negative are evil, and we might have to live with them till the test procedure becomes more accurate....
Now we have to see which one is more harmful, and thus avoid it....

False positive can be harmful, as you are giving medicines when not required, thus causing unnecessary side-effects.
False negative can be harmful, as the patient will go untreated for the disease...

In the argument it is stated that we should avoid false positive results (assuming them to be more harmful) Thus we are looking for an answer that makes the assumption clear...

(a) weakens the conclusion...
(b) weakens the conclusion...
(c) weakens the conclusion...
(d) out of scope...
(e) this statement lends some support... as false negative cases can not be used to distinguish laboratories, false positive should be used to differentiate the laboratories...

Nidhs · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:56 pm Post subject:

Awsome!!! Thank you.