Why Is It Important to Include a Placebo in a Scientific

question 37

Multiple Choice

Why is it important to include a placebo in a scientific study to assess the effectiveness of a drug?

• A)It's actually unethical to do so-if you have a drug that you know to be effective,it's unethical to withhold that treatment from an ill patient.
• B)A placebo-treated group will determine if the changes observed in the drug-treated illness group are due to a psychological effect rather than a physiologic/pharmacologic one.
• C)It isn't scientifically important-a placebo simply helps investigators satisfy the legal requirements of the Food and Drug Administration in their testing process.
• D)A placebo-treated group will determine if the changes observed in the illness in this non-treated group are due to a physiologic/pharmacologic effect rather than a psychological one.

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Definitions:

Delirium

An acute, often sudden confusion that can include alterations in consciousness, cognition, and perception, typically resulting from physical or mental illness.

Somatic Symptoms

Physical symptoms that are caused or exacerbated by mental factors such as stress and anxiety, without a clear physiological basis.

Emotional Status

The current state of a person's emotional well-being, which can affect behavior, thought processes, and overall mental health.

Geriatric Depression Scale

A screening tool designed to assess depression in older adults.