UCAT Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 2

Question 1

A clinical guideline states: 'All patients with systolic BP above 160 mmHg should be started on antihypertensive medication.' A patient has a reading of 155 mmHg. Which is the correct inference?

Accepted Answer

The patient does not meet the guideline threshold for medication

Answer

155 mmHg is below the 160 mmHg threshold stated in the guideline, so medication is not indicated under this specific rule.

Question 2

Which of the following best strengthens the argument that hand hygiene compliance reduces hospital-acquired infections?

Accepted Answer

A randomised controlled trial shows a significant reduction in infections when compliance increases

Answer

A randomised controlled trial provides the strongest evidence for a causal relationship between compliance and infection rates.

Question 3

A hospital manager says: 'If we extend opening hours, patient volumes will increase. If volumes increase, revenue will increase.' What conclusion follows logically?

Accepted Answer

If opening hours are extended, revenue will increase

Answer

Linking the two conditional statements logically produces: if opening hours are extended, then revenue will increase.

Question 4

A study of 50 volunteers finds that a supplement improves memory scores. A critic says the sample is too small. Which concept does the critic's objection relate to?

Accepted Answer

Statistical power

Answer

Statistical power refers to a study's ability to detect a true effect; small samples reduce power and increase the risk of false negatives.

Question 5

A pharmaceutical company reports that their drug is 'twice as effective' as a placebo. The absolute risk reduction is 2%. The relative risk reduction is 100%. Which figure is more clinically meaningful for individual patients?

Accepted Answer

Absolute risk reduction (2%)

Answer

Absolute risk reduction reflects the actual difference in outcomes for individual patients, making it more clinically meaningful than relative risk reduction for decision-making.

UCAT University Clinical Aptitude Test Practice Practice Test

UCAT University Clinical Aptitude Test Practice Practice Test

UCAT Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 2