Health Infrastructure – Norm versus state performance: The national norm is 100 hospital beds per thousand population, but this state has 150 beds per thousand. Determine which conclusions follow: (I) The national norm is appropriate; (II) The state’s health system is taking adequate care in this regard.
Verbal Reasoning
Statement and Conclusion
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
-
AOnly conclusion I follows
-
BOnly conclusion II follows
-
CEither I or II follows
-
DNeither I nor II follows
-
EBoth I and II follow
Answer
Correct Answer: Only conclusion II follows
Explanation
Given data
- Norm: 100 beds/1000 population nationally.
- State: 150 beds/1000 population.
- Conclusions: (I) The national norm is appropriate; (II) The state is doing adequately on this metric.
Concept/ApproachFrom a comparison, we can infer adequacy relative to the benchmark, but cannot validate the appropriateness of the benchmark itself.
Step-by-step evaluation• I requires an evaluative judgment about the national norm’s correctness; the premise provides no evidence of the norm’s adequacy (medical needs vary), so I does not follow.• II follows: the state exceeds the national yardstick in bed availability, indicating adequate care with respect to this indicator.
Final AnswerOnly conclusion II follows.