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Braden Pressure Ulcer Risk Scale

Name: Braden Pressure Ulcer Risk Scale
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Rate all six Braden subscales to instantly calculate a patient's total pressure ulcer risk score with clinical interpretation.

Subscale 1 of 6

Sensory Perception

Ability to respond meaningfully to pressure-related discomfort

1 — Completely Limited

Unresponsive to painful stimuli due to diminished consciousness or sedation, OR limited ability to feel pain over most of body.

2 — Very Limited

Responds only to painful stimuli; cannot communicate discomfort except by moaning or restlessness. OR sensory impairment limits ability to feel pain over half the body.

3 — Slightly Limited

Responds to verbal commands but cannot always communicate discomfort. OR has some sensory impairment limiting ability to feel pain in 1–2 extremities.

4 — No Impairment

Responds to verbal commands; has no sensory deficit that would limit ability to feel or voice pain.

Subscale 2 of 6

Moisture

Degree to which skin is exposed to moisture

1 — Constantly Moist

Skin is kept moist almost constantly by perspiration, urine, or other fluids. Dampness is detected every time the patient is moved or turned.

2 — Very Moist

Skin is often moist but not always. Linen must be changed at least once a shift.

3 — Occasionally Moist

Skin is occasionally moist, requiring an extra linen change approximately once a day.

4 — Rarely Moist

Skin is usually dry; linen only requires changing at routine intervals.

Subscale 3 of 6

Activity

Degree of physical activity

1 — Bedfast

Confined to bed.

2 — Chairfast

Ability to walk severely limited or non-existent. Cannot bear own weight and/or must be assisted into chair or wheelchair.

3 — Walks Occasionally

Walks occasionally during the day, but for very short distances, with or without assistance. Spends the majority of each shift in bed or chair.

4 — Walks Frequently

Walks outside the room at least twice a day and inside the room at least once every 2 hours during waking hours.

Subscale 4 of 6

Mobility

Ability to change and control body position

1 — Completely Immobile

Does not make even slight changes in body or extremity position without assistance.

2 — Very Limited

Makes occasional slight changes in body or extremity position but unable to make frequent or significant changes independently.

3 — Slightly Limited

Makes frequent though slight changes in body or extremity position independently.

4 — No Limitations

Makes major and frequent changes in position without assistance.

Subscale 5 of 6

Nutrition

Usual food intake pattern

1 — Very Poor

Never eats a complete meal; rarely eats more than 1/3 of any food offered. Eats 2 servings or less of protein per day. Takes fluids poorly. Does not take a liquid dietary supplement. OR is NPO and/or maintained on clear liquids or IVs for more than 5 days.

2 — Probably Inadequate

Rarely eats a complete meal and generally eats only about half of any food offered. Protein intake includes only 3 servings of meat or dairy products per day. Occasionally takes a dietary supplement. OR receives less than optimum amount of liquid diet or tube feeding.

3 — Adequate

Eats more than half of most meals. Eats a total of 4 servings of protein (meat, dairy products) each day. Occasionally will refuse a meal but will usually take a supplement if offered. OR is on a tube feeding or TPN regimen that probably meets most of nutritional needs.

4 — Excellent

Eats most of every meal. Never refuses a meal. Usually eats a total of 4 or more servings of meat and dairy products. Occasionally eats between meals. Does not require supplementation.

Subscale 6 of 6

Friction and Shear

Friction occurs when skin moves against support surfaces; shear when deeper tissues slide

1 — Problem

Requires moderate to maximum assistance in moving. Complete lifting without sliding against sheets is impossible. Frequently slides down in bed or chair, requiring frequent repositioning with maximum assistance. Spasticity, contractures, or agitation leads to almost constant friction.

2 — Potential Problem

Moves feebly or requires minimum assistance. During a move skin probably slides to some extent against sheets, chair, restraints, or other devices. Maintains relatively good position in chair or bed most of the time but occasionally slides down.

3 — No Apparent Problem

Moves in bed and in chair independently and has sufficient muscle strength to lift up completely during move. Maintains good position in bed or chair.

Total Braden Score

—

out of 23

Sensory Perception —

Moisture —

Activity —

Mobility —

Nutrition —

Friction/Shear —

Risk Categories

Very High: 6–9

High: 10–12

Moderate: 13–14

Mild / Low: 15–23

Clinical Guidance

Rate all 6 subscales to calculate the score.

Summary

Rate all six Braden subscales to instantly calculate a patient's total pressure ulcer risk score with clinical interpretation.

How it works

Select the appropriate rating for each of the six Braden subscales.
Each subscale describes the patient's current functional status.
Scores are summed automatically as you make selections.
The total score is classified into a risk category (Mild, Moderate, High, Very High).
Use the risk category to guide preventive interventions such as repositioning schedules, support surfaces, and nutrition support.

Use cases

Initial skin risk assessment on hospital admission.
Reassessing risk every 24–48 hours in acute care settings.
Nursing home intake and periodic skin surveillance.
Teaching nursing students how the Braden Scale works.
Documenting skin risk scores for quality improvement audits.
Planning individualized pressure injury prevention care plans.
Post-surgical patient risk stratification in the ICU.
Home health assessments for bedbound or mobility-impaired patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

A score of 23 represents no impairment across all subscales, which is the lowest risk. Scores of 19 or above are generally considered low risk, though individual facility cutoffs may vary.

Most clinical guidelines classify a score of 12 or below as High Risk and 9 or below as Very High Risk. Some institutions use a cutoff of 14 or 16 for Moderate Risk.

In acute care, reassessment is recommended every 24–48 hours or whenever a significant change in condition occurs. Long-term care settings typically reassess weekly for the first four weeks, then monthly.

No. The Braden Scale identifies risk, not a certainty. A low score means the patient is more vulnerable and requires enhanced preventive measures such as frequent repositioning, pressure-redistribution surfaces, and optimized nutrition.

The friction and shear subscale has only three descriptors (1 = Problem, 2 = Potential Problem, 3 = No Apparent Problem), making the maximum total score 23 rather than 24.

No. The Braden Scale is a structured assessment aid. Clinical findings, patient history, and professional judgment should always accompany any numeric score when making care decisions.

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Last updated: 2026-06-09 · Reviewed by Nham Vu

Braden Pressure Ulcer Risk Scale

Sensory Perception

Moisture

Activity

Mobility

Nutrition

Friction and Shear

Total Braden Score

Summary

How it works

Use cases

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a normal Braden score?

At what score is a patient considered high risk?

How often should the Braden Scale be completed?

Does a low Braden score mean a pressure ulcer will develop?

Why does friction/shear only go up to 3?

Is this calculator a substitute for clinical judgment?