Which statement about the Braden Scale is true?

• A. Higher scores indicate greater risk for pressure ulcers.
• B. The scale assesses only skin integrity.
• C. It is the most widely used risk assessment tool for pressure ulcers.
• D. It measures nutritional intake.

Answer: (C)

The Braden Scale is a risk assessment tool that predicts pressure ulcer risk by evaluating multiple factors, not just skin condition. It combines six areas—sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear—into a single total score. Because it looks at several influences on skin integrity, it’s widely used in many healthcare settings to identify patients at risk and guide preventive care. Lower scores indicate higher risk, and nutrition is just one component among several; saying it measures only nutritional intake or only skin integrity isn’t accurate.