Which description defines moderate pain?

• A. Pain that would preclude the activity
• B. Pain could be tolerated but would cause marked handicap
• C. Pain that can be tolerated but would cause some handicap
• D. Pain that is an annoyance and would not cause handicap

Answer: (B)

In disability and impairment assessments, pain descriptions map to how much function is actually affected. Moderate pain is described as pain that you can tolerate, but it produces a noticeable limitation in function—enough to be considered a marked handicap. That’s why this description fits moderate pain: the person can endure it, but it significantly interferes with activities.

The other options describe either more or less impact: pain that precludes activity is severe and not consistent with moderate, pain that can be tolerated but would cause some handicap implies only a minor or milder limitation, and pain that is merely an annoyance with no handicap describes mild pain.