In impairment rating, the standard is based on which measure, as defined by AMA guidelines?

• A. Impairment Rating
• B. Rating
• C. Disability
• D. Severity

Answer: (B)

The standard in impairment rating is expressed as a rating, specifically a percentage of whole person impairment. The AMA Guides define impairment in medical terms and then translate that loss into a numeric rating—the percent impairment—that serves as the shared measure for all evaluations. This rating gives a consistent, quantitative basis to communicate how much impairment is present, which is why it’s the correct measure.

Notes on the other terms: impairment describes the medical condition itself, disability refers to the resulting functional limitation or inability to work, and severity is a qualitative descriptor. None of these provide the standardized numeric measure that AMA uses to quantify impairment, which is precisely what the rating represents.