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Summary of medical research: Although it is common medical practice for patients to fast, i.e., refrain from eating or drinking for up to twelve hours, before a lipid panel blood test is taken, our research indicates that there are only minor differences between a fasting lipid panel and a non-fasting lipid panel. Furthermore, the differences are even less pronounced in the most significant categories, e.g., low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). We, therefore, maintain that the inconvenience placed on patients when they are asked to fast is unjustified.
The argument above can be understood as a cost-benefit analysis. Select Benefit for the result that the passage identifies as a benefit of no longer requiring fasting before a lipid panel. Select Cost for the result that the passage identifies as a cost of no longer requiring fasting before a lipid panel. Make only two selections, one in each column.
Minor differences in the test results
Major differences in the test results
Short-term financial loss
Long-term financial gain
Avoids inconveniencing the medical staff in a certain way
Avoids inconveniencing the patient in a certain way
| Passage Statement | Analysis & Implications |
| "it is common medical practice for patients to fast...for up to twelve hours" |
|
| "our research indicates that there are only minor differences between a fasting lipid panel and a non-fasting lipid panel" |
|
| "differences are even less pronounced in the most significant categories, e.g., LDL and HDL" |
|
| "the inconvenience placed on patients when they are asked to fast is unjustified" |
|
The passage presents a classic cost-benefit analysis: we accept minor differences in test accuracy (cost) to eliminate patient inconvenience (benefit). Both answers are directly supported by explicit statements in the passage.