The Norton Scale

The Norton Scale*

Physical Condition		Mental State		Activity		Mobility		Incontinence
Good	4	Alert	4	Ambulatory	4	Full	4	Not	4
Fair	3	Apathetic	3	Walks with help	3	Slightly limited	3	Occasionally	3
Poor	2	Confused	2	Chairbound	2	Very limited	2	Usually urinary	2
Very bad	1	Stuporous	1	Bedfast	1	Immobile	1	Double	1

SOURCE: Doreen Norton, Rhoda McLaren, and A.N. Exton-Smith. An investigation of geriatric nursing problems in the hospital. London: National Corporation for the Care of Old People (now the Centre for Policy on Ageing), 1962.

* The patient is rated from 1 to 4 on the five risk factors listed. A score of ≤14 indicates risk for decubitus ulcers, or pressure sores.

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