What percentage of all patients in acute care hospitals are 65 or older?

• A. 65+
• B. 65 or older
• C. 65 percent
• D. 70 or older

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is how we name the group described by a percentage. When a statistic asks what percentage of people have a trait defined by an age cutoff, the phrasing should identify the group being counted, not the numeric value of the percentage itself. In this case, the age criterion is “65 or older,” which designates the subset of patients being discussed. Saying “65 or older” clearly defines the group whose percentage is being reported.

Other options either try to express a numeric percent (which isn’t provided and would answer a different question) or refer to a different age cutoff (like 70 or older), or use a shorthand form (65+) that is less precise in formal reporting. In practice, you’d report something like “X% of patients are 65 or older.”