Free LSAT Practice Question

Question 1 of 1
ID: LSAT-LR-60
Section: Logical Reasoning
Topic: Assumption
Difficulty level: Medium

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Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for viral illnesses such as the common cold, even though antibiotics have no effect on viruses. A mandatory rapid diagnostic test (RDT) that distinguishes bacterial from viral infections would sharply reduce such unnecessary prescriptions, because physicians generally withhold antibiotics when an RDT shows the illness is viral. Therefore, requiring every clinic to perform an RDT before prescribing antibiotics will slow the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the analyst's argument?

AMost outpatient clinics can obtain the equipment needed to perform the rapid diagnostic test without significant financial strain.

BThe rapid diagnostic test accurately identifies whether a patient's infection is viral or bacterial.

CPatients who learn from their physician that their illness is viral are willing to forgo an antibiotic prescription.

DSome bacterial infections resolve on their own even when the patient has not taken antibiotics.

EThe cost of implementing the rapid diagnostic test will be offset by the long-term savings achieved through reduced antibiotic use.

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