HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What does it mean to extenuate a condition?

1. To ignore the condition

2. To worsen the condition

3. To lessen or mitigate the condition

4. To enhance the condition

The correct answer is: To lessen or mitigate the condition

To extenuate a condition means to lessen or mitigate that condition. This term is often used in medical and legal contexts to refer to circumstances that reduce the severity or seriousness of a situation. In healthcare, for instance, if a dentist discusses measures to extenuate a patient's dental anxiety, they may be referring to techniques or therapies that help alleviate the patient's fears, thereby making the overall situation more manageable. The essence of extenuating circumstances is to acknowledge a condition but seek ways to reduce its impact, rather than ignoring it or making it worse.