Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Flashcards
6 cards from real UCAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Critical Thinking and Problem Solving flashcards as text
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?
Answer: The patient does not meet the guideline threshold for medication
155 mmHg is below the 160 mmHg threshold stated in the guideline, so medication is not indicated under this specific rule.
Which of the following best strengthens the argument that hand hygiene compliance reduces hospital-acquired infections?
Answer: A randomised controlled trial shows a significant reduction in infections when compliance increases
A randomised controlled trial provides the strongest evidence for a causal relationship between compliance and infection rates.
A hospital manager says: 'If we extend opening hours, patient volumes will increase. If volumes increase, revenue will increase.' What conclusion follows logically?
Answer: If opening hours are extended, revenue will increase
Linking the two conditional statements logically produces: if opening hours are extended, then revenue will increase.
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?
Answer: Statistical power
Statistical power refers to a study's ability to detect a true effect; small samples reduce power and increase the risk of false negatives.
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?
Answer: Absolute risk reduction (2%)
Absolute risk reduction reflects the actual difference in outcomes for individual patients, making it more clinically meaningful than relative risk reduction for decision-making.
Which of the following statements is a value judgement rather than a factual claim?
Answer: Patients should always be prioritised over cost concerns
The statement about patient priorities over cost is normative (value-based), while the others are empirical facts that can be measured.
How this page was made: written with AI tools. We have not yet matched this exam's facts to an official source, so confirm fees, dates and rules with the exam body. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy