Which assessment tool is commonly used to evaluate a patient's risk for pressure ulcers?

The Braden Scale is the commonly used assessment tool for evaluating a patient's risk for pressure ulcers. This tool assesses various factors that contribute to the risk of skin breakdown, primarily focusing on six key areas: sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction and shear. Each category is assigned a score, and the total score helps healthcare providers determine the patient's level of risk for developing pressure ulcers. A lower score indicates a higher risk, prompting interventions to prevent skin breakdown.

Utilizing the Braden Scale allows for a systematic approach to identifying at-risk patients, enabling early preventative measures to be implemented, thereby improving patient outcomes in a clinical setting.