Read the following scenario and complete the . Discuss why you scored the Braden the way you did and add insights that you gained by completing the activity. Discuss the scoring with your classmates and any differences that you have in the ratings. Make sure to attach your completed Braden to your post. Braden Scale:
The Braden Scale is a widely used tool in healthcare settings to assess a patient’s risk for developing pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or pressure sores, are areas of damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure on certain areas of the body. These wounds can be serious and significantly impact a patient’s quality of life.
The Braden Scale consists of six subscales: sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear. Each subscale is scored on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 indicating the highest risk and 4 indicating the lowest risk. The scores from each subscale are then added together to obtain an overall score, with a lower total score indicating a higher risk for pressure ulcers.
To score the Braden Scale, the healthcare provider must gather information about the patient’s sensory perception, level of moisture, physical activity, ability to change positions, level of nutrition, and the amount of friction and shear the patient is subjected to. This information can be obtained by direct observation of the patient, as well as through interviews with the patient and their caregivers.
In the given scenario, a patient’s Braden Scale is to be completed. It is important to understand that the scoring of the Braden Scale is subjective and may vary between healthcare providers. However, the scoring should be based on evidence-based guidelines and the provider’s clinical expertise.
In this case, let’s analyze how the Braden Scale could be scored for the patient in the scenario. The patient, Mrs. Johnson, is an 85-year-old female who recently had a stroke and is now bedridden. She has limited mobility and has difficulty repositioning herself. She has fair nutritional intake and her skin is generally dry, but she wears incontinence briefs. With this information, let’s score each subscale:
1. Sensory Perception: Given Mrs. Johnson’s history of stroke, it is likely that her sensory perception is impaired. We can score this subscale as 2, indicating that she has slightly impaired sensory perception.
2. Moisture: Mrs. Johnson wears incontinence briefs, which can lead to moisture-related skin damage. However, her skin is generally dry, so we can score this subscale as 3, indicating that she has occasional moisture exposure.
3. Activity: Being bedridden, Mrs. Johnson has limited physical activity. We can score this subscale as 1, indicating that she has very limited activity.
4. Mobility: As mentioned, Mrs. Johnson has difficulty repositioning herself. This places her at a high risk for pressure ulcers. We can score this subscale as 1, indicating that she has very limited mobility.
5. Nutrition: Mrs. Johnson has fair nutritional intake, which means she is not severely malnourished. We can score this subscale as 3, indicating that she has some level of malnutrition.
6. Friction/Shear: The scenario does not provide specific information about the amount of friction and shear Mrs. Johnson is exposed to. It is assumed that she is being properly positioned and that measures are taken to minimize friction and shear. Therefore, we can score this subscale as 4, indicating that she has no apparent friction or shear.
By adding up the scores from each subscale, Mrs. Johnson’s total Braden Scale score would be 14. This score indicates that she is at a high risk for developing pressure ulcers. Additional interventions and preventive measures should be implemented to minimize the risk, such as regular repositioning, moisture management, and adequate nutrition.
In discussing the scoring of the Braden Scale with classmates, it is important to understand that there might be variations in the scores given by different individuals. These variations can arise due to differences in clinical judgment, interpretation of the information, or the level of experience of the healthcare provider. It is crucial to discuss and compare ratings to ensure consistency and accuracy in assessing a patient’s risk for pressure ulcers.
In conclusion, the Braden Scale is a valuable tool for assessing the risk of pressure ulcers in patients. The scoring of the Braden Scale is based on subjective observations and clinical judgment. By accurately scoring the Braden Scale, healthcare providers can identify patients at risk for pressure ulcers and implement appropriate interventions to prevent their development. Collaboration and discussion among healthcare providers are necessary to ensure consistency and accuracy in the use of the Braden Scale.