Remission vs relapse

• A. Remission is a reduction of symptoms to minimal or no impairment; relapse is the return of symptoms after a period of improvement
• B. Relapse is the return of symptoms after a period of improvement
• C. Remission is a temporary worsening
• D. Relapse is permanent recovery

Answer: (A)

Remission vs relapse is about how symptoms change over time after treatment. Remission means symptoms have diminished to a minimal level or are absent, allowing little to no impairment in functioning. Relapse means those symptoms return after a period of improvement, signaling a recurrence rather than a lasting recovery. The best statement captures both parts clearly: remission as the reduction to minimal or no symptoms, and relapse as the return of symptoms following improvement.

The other options fall short because they either state only part of the idea or misdefine the terms. Saying remission is a temporary worsening is the opposite of remission, and saying relapse is permanent recovery contradicts what relapse means.