Critical Reasoning: Conclusion Weakening Questions

A management protocol system that offers a unique method for the administration of every operational factor from rules to be obeyed by employees to the scheduling of equipment and supply purchases can be installed by any hospital that wishes to do so, free of charge. The board of directors at the Amgudnow Hospital, which is never fully occupied or excessively engaged, perceives the system as being very beneficial financially and so is planning to utilize it to its fullest. It has been proven that since the system results in a cooperative work environment with streamlined efficiency, its correct operation leads to a high level of satisfaction in workers and patients alike, reducing recovery times.

Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt regarding the effectiveness of the plan of the hospital's board of directors?

Incorrect.

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This answer choice neither weakens nor supports the plan to use the system. The fact that most other hospitals have tried other systems doesn't tell us anything about this system.

Incorrect.

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This answer choice neither weakens nor supports the plan to use the system. Since we are not told anything about the staff at the Amgudnow Hospital, we cannot assume that they will be willing, or unwilling, to adopt such a system. Therefore, we cannot use this statement to assess the success of such a system at Amgudnow.

Incorrect.

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This answer choice supports the plan to use the system while you were supposed to weaken it. If the system results in a well-run hospital, and if people donate money to such hospitals, then the board members were right - the system is financially beneficial.

Incorrect.

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This answer choice supports the plan to use the system while you were supposed to weaken it. It provides an example of a hospital whose financial situation was improved by the system, showing that it is likely that Amgudnow will benefit from it too.

Very well done!

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This answer choice states that hospital services are paid per day. Since we are told in the last premise that the system results in shorter recovery times, it follows that patients will be paying lower fees. Since the Amgudnow is never full, it doesn't need to constantly vacate beds. Therefore, the system will be too efficient, meaning that the patients will leave too soon with only small hospital bills and less financial benefit to the hospital.

The management system has been applied to many hospitals similar in size to Amgudnow, though for most hospitals it was the not the first of such protocols to have been adopted, as other such systems usually cost more to use.

Although an effective protocol can be used to completely restructure an inefficient business or organization, the success of such a project depends heavily upon the willingness of the staff to accept new ideas and try different approaches to existing problems.

Patients who have experienced professional and compassionate service while receiving care at a hospital are likely to recommend that hospital to others, and may even be willing to make a donation for the continuation of such service.

The bankruptcy of a hospital that in the past had suffered from legal problems caused by unprofessional patient handling as a result of being fully-occupied constantly was prevented due to the system's insight.

Whether covered by medical insurance or paid for privately by an individual, hospital services are extremely expensive primarily because of the high cost of their trained employment, and are charged for per day of hospitalization.