Which client is likely to tolerate a higher level of pain according to pain tolerance?

Individuals with chronic pain, such as the 55-year-old woman experiencing moderate low back pain for three months, often develop a higher tolerance for pain over time. Chronic pain can lead to a physiological and psychological adaptation where the individual becomes more accustomed to pain sensations. As they live with pain for an extended period, their nervous system can modify its perception and response to pain stimuli, allowing them to tolerate it better compared to someone experiencing acute pain.

In contrast, those with acute pain, such as the 10-year-old who recently sustained burns or the 23-year-old with a fresh knee sprain, generally experience more intense pain responses, which can make them less tolerant of pain. The 70-year-old with a postoperative infection may also have a lower pain tolerance due to the combined factors of surgery stress, age-related changes, and the presence of an infection, which can increase sensitivity to pain. Therefore, the chronic nature of the 55-year-old woman's condition is a significant factor in her ability to handle pain more effectively.