FIM FIM Levels of Assistance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient completes all steps of upper extremity dressing independently, on time, and without any adaptive equipment. Which FIM level should be assigned?
- Modified Independence (6)
- Complete Independence (7) (Correct answer)
- Supervision (5)
- Minimal Assist (4)
Correct answer: Complete Independence (7)
FIM Level 7 (Complete Independence) is assigned when the patient performs the task safely, in a reasonable time, and without assistive devices or another person.
Question 2: At FIM Level 4 (Minimal Assist), what minimum percentage of the task must the patient perform?
- 50%
- 25%
- 75% (Correct answer)
- 90%
Correct answer: 75%
Minimal Assist (Level 4) means the patient performs 75% or more of the task; the helper contributes less than 25% of the effort.
Question 3: A clinician provides only verbal cues and standby guarding during a patient's shower but makes no physical contact. Which FIM level applies?
- Minimal Assist (4)
- Modified Independence (6)
- Supervision (5) (Correct answer)
- Moderate Assist (3)
Correct answer: Supervision (5)
Level 5 (Supervision/Setup) is used when a helper provides cueing, coaxing, or standby assistance without making physical contact.
Question 4: Which FIM level indicates that the helper must perform 75% or more of the task because the patient contributes less than 25%?
- Maximal Assist (2)
- Moderate Assist (3)
- Total Assist (1) (Correct answer)
- Minimal Assist (4)
Correct answer: Total Assist (1)
Total Assist (Level 1) is assigned when the patient contributes less than 25% of the task effort, requiring the helper to do 75% or more.
Question 5: A patient uses a long-handled sponge to bathe independently due to limited trunk flexibility but requires no assistance from another person. Which FIM level is correct?
- Complete Independence (7)
- Supervision (5)
- Modified Independence (6) (Correct answer)
- Minimal Assist (4)
Correct answer: Modified Independence (6)
Modified Independence (Level 6) applies when a patient performs the task alone but requires an assistive device, takes extra time, or has safety concerns.
Question 6: At FIM Level 3 (Moderate Assist), what percentage of effort does the helper provide?
- Less than 25%
- 75% or more
- 50–74%
- 25–49% (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 25–49%
Moderate Assist (Level 3) means the helper provides 25–49% of the effort while the patient performs 50–74% of the task.
Question 7: Which FIM level is assigned when the helper performs 50–74% of the task because the patient can only contribute 25–49% of the effort?
- Moderate Assist (3)
- Total Assist (1)
- Minimal Assist (4)
- Maximal Assist (2) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Maximal Assist (2)
Maximal Assist (Level 2) is scored when the patient contributes only 25–49% of the effort and the helper must perform the majority (50–74%) of the task.
FIM FIM Levels of Assistance 1
A patient completes all steps of upper extremity dressing independently, on time, and without any adaptive equipment.
Which FIM level should be assigned?