Question

prescribing antibiotics for illnesses that they cannot treat is a dangerous practice that should be stopped. which is the strongest evidence to support the claim? a recent white house budget request called for significant funds to be allocated to fight the problem of antibiotic resistance. multiple studies have shown that overprescribing antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which in turn can lead to infections that are difficult or impossible to treat. according to one study, physicians prescribe antibiotics for about sixty percent of patients with sore throats, although they are helpful for only ten percent of these patients.

Explanation:

The claim is about the danger of prescribing antibiotics for untreatable illnesses. Option B directly links overprescribing (which includes prescribing for wrong illnesses) to the development of antibiotic - resistant bacteria and difficult/impossible - to - treat infections, which is a strong evidence of the danger. Option A is about a budget request and not directly about the danger of the practice. Option C is about overprescribing for a specific illness (sore throat) but does not clearly show the danger (like the development of resistant bacteria) as strongly as Option B.

Answer:

B. Multiple studies have shown that overprescribing antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic - resistant bacteria, which in turn can lead to infections that are difficult or impossible to treat.