HSRT - Health Sciences Reasoning Identifying Logical Fallacies Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient with chronic migraines decides to eliminate gluten from their diet.
Two weeks later, they report having fewer migraines and conclude that the gluten-free diet is the definitive cause of their improvement.
Which logical fallacy is most evident in the patient's conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc (False Cause)

Answer

Slippery Slope

Answer

Ad Hominem

Answer

Hasty Generalization

Question 2

During a team meeting to update patient care protocols, a senior nurse objects to a new, evidence-based method for IV insertion. The nurse argues, 'We shouldn't change our method. The way we've been doing it for the past 20 years has always been good enough for our patients.' This reasoning is a classic example of which fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Appeal to Tradition

Answer

Straw Man

Answer

False Dichotomy

Answer

Circular Reasoning

Question 3

A physical therapist treats a 22-year-old elite athlete who recovers from a specific knee surgery in just four weeks. Based on this single case, the therapist begins telling all their knee surgery patients, including a 65-year-old with osteoarthritis, that they should also expect to recover in four weeks. This is an example of which logical fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Hasty Generalization

Answer

Red Herring

Answer

Appeal to Authority

Answer

Slippery Slope

Question 4

A hospital dietitian suggests to a patient with type 2 diabetes that they should try to reduce their intake of refined sugars to better manage their blood glucose levels. The patient angrily replies, 'So you're telling me I can never eat a piece of fruit or a slice of bread again? You want me to starve!' Which fallacy has the patient used in their response?

Accepted Answer

Straw Man

Answer

Ad Hominem

Answer

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc

Answer

False Dichotomy

Question 5

A surgeon presents treatment options to a patient with a benign tumor, stating, 'We can either perform a highly invasive surgery that will remove the tumor completely, or we can do nothing and just let it grow.' This statement is a potential example of which logical fallacy if other viable options exist?

Accepted Answer

False Dichotomy (Either/Or)

Answer

Appeal to Tradition

Answer

Slippery Slope

Answer

Red Herring

Question 6

At a medical conference, a young cardiologist presents compelling research data that challenges a long-held belief about a particular medication. During the Q&A, a senior physician dismisses the findings by saying, 'This research comes from a junior fellow at a small community hospital. I doubt they have the resources or experience to produce a truly valid study.' This comment is an example of which logical fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Ad Hominem

Answer

Appeal to Authority

Answer

Straw Man

Answer

Circular Reasoning

A patient with chronic migraines decides to eliminate gluten from their diet.Two weeks later, they report having fewer migraines and conclude that the gluten-free diet is the definitive cause of their improvement.Which logical fallacy is most evident in the patient's conclusion?

A patient with chronic migraines decides to eliminate gluten from their diet.
Two weeks later, they report having fewer migraines and conclude that the gluten-free diet is the definitive cause of their improvement.
Which logical fallacy is most evident in the patient's conclusion?