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.