OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

If somebody has a degenerative disease, it would be classified as:

1. Acute

2. Chronic

3. Latent

4. Slow

The correct answer is: Chronic

A degenerative disease is typically characterized by a gradual decline in function or structure of tissues and organs over time. This progressive deterioration indicates that the condition is not self-limiting and tends to persist, aligning it with the definition of a chronic condition. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and may have long-lasting effects, which is a hallmark of degenerative diseases. The other classifications like acute and latent refer to different disease processes. Acute conditions are typically sudden in onset and can be severe but are often of short duration. Latent refers to diseases that are inactive for extended periods, while "slow" is not a standard medical classification and does not specifically convey the nature of the disease progression. Therefore, identifying degenerative diseases as chronic reflects their prolonged duration and ongoing impact on health.