Malaise is defined as which of the following?

• A. A burning sensation in the skin
• B. A vague feeling of physical discomfort or sickness
• C. A sense of fatigue
• D. A dull ache in a muscle

Answer: (B)

Malaise is a general, subjective sense of being unwell. It refers to a vague feeling of physical discomfort or sickness rather than a specific, localized symptom. That makes the description of “a vague feeling of physical discomfort or sickness” the best fit. The other phrases describe more pinpoint sensations: a burning skin sensation is a localized sensory symptom, fatigue is a lack of energy, and a dull muscle ache is myalgia. Malaise often accompanies illnesses and can appear before more obvious signs emerge, signaling that something systemic may be going on.