Which statement about the Functional Independence Measure is true?

• A. It uses a 7-point scale across 18 areas.
• B. It has a maximum score of 200.
• C. It is used only in acute care.
• D. It measures only cognitive function.

Answer: (A)

Functional Independence Measure evaluates a person’s level of independence in daily activities. Each item is rated on a 7-point scale, where higher scores reflect greater independence and lower scores indicate more assistance is needed. There are 18 items in total, covering both motor (13 items) and cognitive (5 items) domains, including self-care, mobility, communication, and social interaction. Because of this setup, the highest possible total score is 126 (18 items × 7), not 200, and the tool is used in 다양한 settings—not just acute care—across inpatient and rehabilitation settings to monitor functional progress. It also doesn’t measure only cognitive function since motor aspects are included as well. Therefore, the statement describing a 7-point scale across 18 areas is true.