How to Calculate the Karnofsky Score

Evaluating a patient using the Karnofsky score assesses the function of a patient with regard to a debilitating disease such as cancer. The Karnofsky scale describes the quality of life a patient possesses and the ability of the patient to carry out activities on a scale of 0 percent to 100 percent. The scale uses descriptions within categories to indicate the level of patient wellness. Calculating a patient's Karnofsky score assists in tracking the progression of a disease and helps gauge the effects of various treatments, by comparison, on patient improvement and overall health.

Things You'll Need

• Karnofsky performance status score definitions

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Instructions

• 1

  Classify the patient in one of three categories by evaluating the patient's activity level and necessity for outside care by questioning and examining the patient. The three categories describe the patient as: able to carry on normal activity and work without special care; unable to work yet able to live at home and care for personal needs with some assistance; or unable to care for self and requiring institutional or hospital care.

• 2

  Refer to the Karnofsky performance status score definitions (see Resources) to find an accurate description of the patient's functionality within the category he falls under. A patient able to carry on normal activity and work has a functionality within the 80 percent to 100 percent range on the Karnofsky scale. A patient unable to work yet able to provide personal care functions within the 50 percent to 70 percent range. A patient unable to care for himself functions between 0 percent and 40 percent.

• 3

  Match and mark the specific function criteria within the category to find the patient's percentage score. A score of 100 percent means the patient has no complaints or signs of disease. A 90 percent score means the patient exhibits minor signs and symptoms. An 80 percent score describes a patient who continues normal activity with effort and shows some signs and symptoms of the disease. A score of 70 percent defines a patient who can care for himself but is unable to work and be active. A 60 percent score means the patient requires occasional assistance; 50 percent means the patient requires frequent assistance and medical care; 40 percent describes a disabled patient; 30 percent indicates severely disabled and in need of hospital care; 20 percent indicates a very sick patient in need of active treatment and hospital care; 10 percent describes a patient approaching death; and O percent indicates a dead patient.