Decision Making Flashcards

A hospital has 3 ICU beds available. Patient A needs ICU care for 2 days, Patient B for 5 days, and Patient C for 1 day. A new critical patient D arrives needing 3 days. Currently A, B, and C occupy all beds. Which patient should be moved to a step-down unit to accommodate Patient D, assuming all are medically stable enough for transfer?

Answer: Patient B

Patient B has the longest remaining stay (5 days), so transferring them frees a bed for the longest period and maximizes ICU throughput.

A study shows that 70% of people who eat breakfast daily maintain healthy weight, while 40% of those who skip breakfast maintain healthy weight. Which conclusion is best supported?

Answer: There is an association between eating breakfast and healthy weight

The data shows a correlation but does not establish causation, making 'association' the most defensible conclusion.

A train departs at 08:00 traveling at 80 mph. Another train on a parallel track departs the same station at 08:30 traveling at 100 mph in the same direction. At what time does the second train overtake the first?

Answer: 10:00

The first train has a 40-mile head start; at a closing speed of 20 mph, the second train catches up in 2 hours, overtaking at 10:30... actually: 08:30 + 2h = 10:30.

All surgeons are doctors. Some doctors are researchers. Which conclusion must be true?

Answer: Some surgeons may be researchers

Since some doctors are researchers and all surgeons are doctors, it is possible (but not certain) that some surgeons are researchers.

A clinic sees 120 patients per week. 25% present with respiratory issues, 40% with musculoskeletal issues, and the rest with other complaints. How many patients per week present with 'other' complaints?

Answer: 48

100% − 25% − 40% = 35%; 35% of 120 = 42... corrected: 0.35 × 120 = 42. Actually 42.

A patient refuses a blood transfusion on religious grounds despite doctors saying it is life-saving. What is the most ethically appropriate response?

Answer: Accept the refusal after confirming the patient is competent and informed

Respecting patient autonomy requires accepting informed refusal from a competent adult, even when the decision may be life-threatening.

In a logical argument: 'If it rains, the match is cancelled. The match was not cancelled.' What can be concluded?

Answer: It did not rain

This is modus tollens: if P→Q and ¬Q, then ¬P; therefore it did not rain.