Explanation
We learned in our first read of the passage that the
excessive administration of antibiotics was one of the worst kinds of
overtreatment, because it causes harm. We can check that against the answer
choices and be prepared to investigate more closely in the passage. Choice (A)
seems supported, so we can come back to it. Choice (B) is not supported, as
there may be other causes other than patients' demands for excessive
administration; the passage has not gone deeply into the causes. Choice (C) is
inaccurate, since the passage states that the threat of antimicrobial
resistance may already be as large or greater--and, furthermore, we don't know
whether it is growing, necessarily. So (C) is out. Choice (D) is not supported
by the passage, which cites excessive administration of antibiotics as an
example of a treatment that harms "the patient or others." The individual might
not benefit ultimately, so (D) is out. Choice (E), like (B), makes a claim
about the causes of the practice that we have insufficient information to
support. We are left with (A). We are told that every form of overmedication
potentially wastes "a nation's limited resources" (lines 8-9) and diverts
resources" (lines 14-15), so there is support for this statement.
The correct answer is (A).
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