Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are the fundamental self-care tasks that individuals perform daily, including bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring (mobility), and continence. Assessing ADLs helps nurses determine a patient's functional status and care needs.
Exam Tip
Know the 6 basic ADLs: Bathing, Dressing, Eating, Toileting, Transferring, Continence. Katz Index is the most common ADL assessment tool. ADLs differ from IADLs (more complex community skills). LPNs collect ADL data and report changes to the RN.
What Are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are basic self-care activities that are essential for independent living. In nursing, ADL assessment is a critical component of determining a patient's functional ability, planning care, and evaluating recovery progress.
The 6 Basic ADLs
| ADL | Description |
|---|---|
| Bathing | Ability to wash oneself (shower, tub, sponge bath) |
| Dressing | Ability to select and put on clothing |
| Eating | Ability to feed oneself (not meal preparation) |
| Toileting | Ability to use the toilet, manage clothing, and perform hygiene |
| Transferring | Ability to move between bed, chair, and standing position |
| Continence | Ability to control bladder and bowel function |
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
IADLs are more complex activities needed for independent community living:
| IADL | Description |
|---|---|
| Meal preparation | Planning and cooking meals |
| Housekeeping | Cleaning, laundry |
| Managing finances | Paying bills, budgeting |
| Transportation | Driving, arranging rides |
| Medication management | Taking medications correctly |
| Shopping | Purchasing necessities |
| Using the telephone | Communication ability |
ADL Assessment Tools
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| Katz Index | Measures 6 basic ADLs (most common) |
| Barthel Index | Scores 10 activities on a 0-100 scale |
| Lawton IADL Scale | Measures 8 instrumental ADLs |
| FIM (Functional Independence Measure) | Comprehensive 18-item scale |
Nursing Implications
- Document the patient's ADL ability on admission and regularly throughout care
- Promote independence: assist only with tasks the patient cannot perform
- Identify safety risks (fall risk if transferring is impaired)
- Use ADL assessment to guide discharge planning and home care referrals
- Report changes in ADL status to the RN as they may indicate clinical changes
Exam Alert
ADL assessment is fundamental to the Basic Care & Comfort category on the NCLEX-PN. Know the 6 basic ADLs, the difference between ADLs and IADLs, and how to use ADL data in care planning. The LPN collects ADL data and reports changes to the RN.
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Nursing Process
The nursing process is a systematic, five-step problem-solving framework used by nurses to provide patient-centered care: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADPIE). It is the foundation of all nursing practice and the organizing framework for the NCLEX.
Care Plan (Nursing)
A nursing care plan is a written document that outlines a patient's identified health problems, measurable goals, and specific nursing interventions. It is developed by the RN based on nursing assessment data and guides the entire nursing team in providing consistent, individualized care.
Scope of Practice (Nursing)
Scope of practice defines the legal boundaries of what a healthcare professional is authorized to do based on their education, licensure, and state Nurse Practice Act. For LPNs/LVNs, the scope includes basic nursing care, data collection, medication administration, and care plan implementation under RN or physician supervision.
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