The Rancho Los Amigos Cognitive Scale is used for what purpose?

• A. Predicts mortality risk.
• B. Classifies cognitive functioning and recovery level after brain injury.
• C. Measures blood glucose control.
• D. Assesses physical mobility.

Answer: (B)

The Rancho Los Amigos Cognitive Scale is used to classify cognitive functioning and recovery level after brain injury. It describes a patient’s cognitive and behavioral status as they recover, guiding rehabilitation planning and prognosis. The scale focuses on how brain injury affects attention, memory, problem solving, orientation, initiation, and self-monitoring, and it tracks progress from early levels of reduced responsiveness to higher levels of purposeful, independent activity. It helps therapists set realistic goals, determine therapy intensity, and communicate a patient’s current cognitive abilities to the care team and family. This is different from mortality risk, blood glucose control, or physical mobility measures, which are assessed with other tools.