A moderate pain could be tolerated, but would cause a marked handicap in the performance of the activity precipitating the pain.

A moderate pain could be tolerated, but would cause a marked handicap in the performance of the activity precipitating the pain.

• A. Minimal
• B. Slight
• C. Moderate
• D. Severe

Answer: (C)

Pain intensity is often described by how much it interferes with performing the triggering activity. In this scale, that you can tolerate the pain but it produces a noticeable, marked handicap fits the description of moderate pain. It means you can continue the activity but with significant notching of performance—you’d slow down, alter technique, or otherwise be limited, yet you’re not unable to work. Minimal would imply little to no impact on performance, slight would imply only minor interference, and severe would imply a near or actual inability to perform the activity.

Pain intensity is often described by how much it interferes with performing the triggering activity. In this scale, that you can tolerate the pain but it produces a noticeable, marked handicap fits the description of moderate pain. It means you can continue the activity but with significant notching of performance—you’d slow down, alter technique, or otherwise be limited, yet you’re not unable to work. Minimal would imply little to no impact on performance, slight would imply only minor interference, and severe would imply a near or actual inability to perform the activity.