Which word most nearly means 'persistent' in a medical context?

• A. Intermittent.
• B. Acute.
• C. Tenacious.
• D. Transient.

Answer: (C)

The concept being tested is the nuance of vocabulary used to describe how long a symptom or condition lasts in medical context. Persistent means continuing over time despite treatment or efforts to stop it. Tenacious fits this sense well because it conveys a stubborn, enduring quality—something that clings on and is hard to eradicate. In medical notes, you’d use tenacious to describe a symptom or infection that remains despite care, signaling persistence.

Intermittent describes something that comes and goes with breaks in between, so it doesn’t reflect continuous duration. Acute refers to a sudden onset or a severe condition that is typically short in duration, not persistent. Transient means temporary or fleeting, lasting only a short time. These contrasts show why tenacious is the best match for “persistent.”