Question

based on reports from patients, scientists estimate that as many as 80% of people with amputations experience phantom pain. although this pain is common, scientists do not yet fully understand the mechanisms, or processes in the body, that cause phantom pain. because scientists do not understand what causes phantom pain, it is difficult for them to figure out how to stop it. what will be possible when scientists better understand the mechanisms behind phantom pain? select the best prediction. scientists will be better able to determine the number of people who experience phantom pain. scientists will be better able to find treatments to stop the processes in the body that cause phantom pain. scientists will be better able to prevent limbs from being removed in the future.

Explanation:

The text states that difficulty finding ways to stop phantom pain stems from not understanding its mechanisms. Thus, better understanding these mechanisms would enable targeting the causal processes to develop treatments. The other options are irrelevant: estimating prevalence does not depend on mechanism understanding, and preventing limb removal is unrelated to the pain's mechanisms.

Answer:

Scientists will be better able to find treatments to stop the processes in the body that cause phantom pain.