5.3. Contrary cases
The following two contrary cases were developed to demonstrate what is not the concept. A case of ‘no’ functional status supplemented with a case of ‘‘low’’
functional status can better present the different levels of impairments in functional status.
5.3.1. The case of no functional status
A nurse was tube-feeding a 20-year-old young man in a nursing home. The young man had become comatose after a car accident 3 years ago. Although he still
breathed independently, in a vegetative status, his basic needs, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring,grooming, and feeding can only be fulfilled through the
help of others.
In this case, both critical attributes of functional status are absent. The young man was not capable to perform any activity of daily living to meet basis needs, fulfill usual roles, and maintain health and well being.