Multiple choice

Directions: For this question, select the best of the answer choices given.

Although aspirin has been proven to eliminate moderate fever associated with some illnesses, many doctors no longer routinely recommend its use for this purpose. A moderate fever stimulates the activity of the body's disease-fighting white blood cells and also inhibits the growth of many strains of disease-causing bacteria. If the statements above are true, which of the following conclusions is most strongly supported by them?

  1. Aspirin, an effective painkiller, alleviates the pain and discomfort of many illnesses.

  2. Aspirin can prolong a patient's illness by eliminating moderate fever helpful in fighting some diseases.

  3. Aspirin inhibits the growth of white blood cells, which are necessary for fighting some illnesses.

  4. The more white blood cells a patient's body produces, the less severe the patient's illness will be.

  5. The focus of modern medicine is on inhibiting the growth of disease-causing bacteria within the body.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

If moderate fever helps the body fight disease by stimulating white blood cells and inhibiting bacterial growth, then eliminating fever with aspirin could prolong illness by removing this beneficial defense mechanism. The conclusion follows logically: aspirin may relieve symptoms but could extend recovery time.

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