Due to a persistent shortage of surgeons, patients often experience long delays for elective surgeries. Therefore, it is proposed that physician assistants should conduct preliminary assessments to identify which patients require urgent surgery and which can be scheduled for later.

Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument above is based?

Answer Choices

Correct answer marked below

Physician assistants are qualified to perform preliminary assessments.

Correct

Hospitals should hire more surgeons.

Elective surgeries can be postponed without affecting patient outcomes.

Patients are always aware of their own medical needs.

Surgeons cannot delegate preliminary assessments to others.

See the full step-by-step explanation

You can see the correct answer above. Sign in for free to unlock the complete worked solution.

Track your performance and improve

Get detailed analytics, unlock full explanations, and move up difficulty tiers as you practice.

Start for free Sign in

Explanation

Preview

Official Explanation

Official

The argument suggests that physician assistants should conduct preliminary assessments to manage the flow of patients needing surgery. For this to be valid, it must be assumed that physician assistants are qualified to perform these assessments. If they are…

Read the full explanation

Create free account Sign in

Comments

HassanApr 29, 2025

Can someone explain it other way?

MatthiasJan 2, 2025

Thank for sharing!

DApr 9, 2025

Thank for sharing!!!

LamanMar 3, 2024

thanks for posting

HoughApr 2, 2024

Thanks for sharingThank you for sharing!!thanks for sharing

What this question tests

What it tests

Whether you can identify the unstated assumption a critical-reasoning argument depends on.

Common trap

Picking an option that strengthens the argument or is merely relevant instead of one that is required.