Attention A T users. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). 3. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links.

HIV

Menu
Menu
Quick Links
Veterans Crisis Line Badge
My healthevet badge
 

Karnofsky Performance Scale

for Health Care Providers

Karnofsky Performance Scale

The Karnofsky Performance Scale is an assessment tool intended to assist clinicians and caretakers in gauging a patient's functional status and ability to carry out activities of daily living.

It is important to assess a patient's performance on a regular basis, especially as the effects of HIV progress. Documentation of Karnofsky scores over time may be very useful in following a patient's course of illness, and can help a disabled patient in his/her application for disability benefits. It also is used for some research applications.

Table 1. The Karnofsky Performance Scale
Normal; no complaints; no evidence of disease100
Able to carry on normal activity; minor signs or symptoms of disease90
Normal activity with effort; some signs or symptoms of disease80
Cares for self; unable to carry on normal activity or do work70
Requires occasional assistance, but is able to care for most personal needs60
Requires considerable assistance and frequent medical care50
Disabled; requires special care and assistance40
Severely disabled; hospitalization indicated although death not imminent30
Very sick; hospitalization necessary; requires active support treatment20
Moribund; fatal processes progressing rapidly10
Dead0