LSAT Explanation PT 44, S4, Q25: A certain medication that is frequently

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain how both of the claims made above could be true? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Paradox question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's break down the information in the passage. It tells us that a certain medication is generally effective in lowering a patient's cholesterol level. However, a study of 1,000 subjects shows that the cholesterol level of someone taking the medication is typically 12 to 15 percent higher than the average for that person's age group. This seems contradictory, so our task is to find the answer choice that best helps to explain how both of these claims could be true.

To make this clearer, let's use a simple example. Imagine a group of people who all have very high cholesterol levels - let's say 50% above the average for their age group. They start taking a medication that lowers their cholesterol by 20%. Now, their cholesterol levels are still 30% above the average, but the medication has been effective in lowering their cholesterol.

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) A recently developed cholesterol-lowering medication is more effective than the medication described above.

- This answer choice doesn't help us explain the paradox because it is irrelevant to the specific effects of the medication in question.

b) Another medication is prescribed to treat high cholesterol just as often as the medication described above is.

- This answer choice also doesn't help us explain the paradox because it doesn't tell us anything about the effects of the medication in question on the people who take it.

c) In most cases, people with high cholesterol levels are not treated with drug therapy but are put on restrictive low-cholesterol diets.

- This answer choice doesn't help us explain the paradox because it focuses on people who are not taking the medication, rather than explaining the effects of the medication on those who do take it.

d) The medication described above is usually prescribed only for people whose cholesterol level is at least 30 percent above the average for their age group.

- This is the correct answer choice. It explains the paradox by telling us that the medication is typically prescribed to people who already have significantly higher cholesterol levels than the average for their age group. So even if the medication is effective in lowering their cholesterol levels, these people may still have higher cholesterol levels than the average.

e) Within the population as a whole, approximately the same number of people have relatively high cholesterol levels as have relatively low cholesterol levels.

- This answer choice doesn't help us explain the paradox because it focuses on the distribution of cholesterol levels in the general population, rather than explaining the effects of the medication on those who take it.

In conclusion, the correct answer choice is (d) because it helps us understand how the medication can be effective in lowering cholesterol levels while still resulting in higher-than-average cholesterol levels for those who take it.