Levels of cognitive functioning: evaluation of interrater reliability.

This study examined the reliability of the Levels of Cognitive Functioning Scale, an observational tool used to assess head-injured patients. Twenty-two undergraduate and ten graduate students viewed videotapes of four patients at various levels and rated each using the scale. Findings indicate a high percent agreement of subjects with each other for the four patient examples and with the correct level (p less than .001). These results suggest that this assessment tool may be useful in planning nursing interventions.