Which framework is commonly used to guide PT evaluation and classification of function?

• A. ICF
• B. DSM-5
• C. SNOMED
• D. LOINC

Answer: (A)

The main idea is using a framework that shapes how physical therapists assess and classify function. The ICF treats health as functioning and disability, not just disease, and organizes it into body functions and structures, activities, and participation, all within contextual factors (environmental and personal). This setup lets a therapist describe what a person can do, what activities are limited, and how participation is affected, while also noting what helps or hinders them in real life. Because of that, the ICF provides a practical guide for evaluation, goal setting, and outcome measurement, plus a common language across clinicians.

Other options don’t fit as the guiding framework for PT function evaluation. DSM-5 is for diagnosing mental disorders, not describing functional status. SNOMED is a broad clinical terminology system, not specifically a framework for evaluating function. LOINC codes laboratory and test results, not functional classification.

For a knee OA example, you’d look at impairments (like range of motion and pain), activities (ability to walk certain distances), participation (work or social activities affected), and contextual factors (home setup, assistive devices). This illustrates how ICF guides a comprehensive, function-centered assessment.