Question

The nurse observes that a patient with pressure ulcers has a score on the Braden Scale of 11. What would the nurse suspect from this observation?

1 The patient is at high risk of development of pressure ulcers.
2 The patient is at moderate risk of pressure ulcer development.
3 The patient should be taken to the intensive care unit.
4 The patient's condition can be managed in a few days.

Answer 1

A Braden Scale score of 11 indicates that the patient is at high risk for the development of pressure ulcers, which necessitates careful monitoring and preventive interventions.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse observes that a patient with pressure ulcers has a score on the Braden Scale of 11, it would be suspected that the patient is at high risk for the development of pressure ulcers. The Braden Scale is a predictive scale that healthcare professionals use to help assess a patient's risk of developing pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or decubitis ulcers, which are caused by prolonged pressure on the skin, particularly over bony areas, and can lead to tissue death (necrosis). Scores on the Braden Scale range from 6 to 23, with lower scores indicating a higher risk. A score of 11 falls into the category indicating a high risk, which means the patient requires careful monitoring, preventive care measures, and potentially more frequent repositioning to alleviate pressure on vulnerable areas of the body.