What does braden mean in medical terms? A guide to the Braden scale

September 22, 2025 •

2 min read

Every year, millions of people are affected by pressure injuries, making prevention critical. Understanding what does braden mean in medical terms is the first step, as the Braden Scale is a key tool used for assessing an individual's risk of developing pressure ulcers or bedsores.

Quick Summary

In medical terms, Braden refers to the Braden Scale, a validated assessment tool used by healthcare professionals to evaluate a patient's risk of developing pressure ulcers or bedsores based on six key criteria.

Key Points

Braden Scale Defined: The Braden Scale is a medical assessment tool used to predict a patient's risk of developing pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores.
Six Subscales: The scale evaluates six key factors: Sensory Perception, Moisture, Activity, Mobility, Nutrition, and Friction & Shear.
Score Interpretation: The total score ranges from 6 to 23, where a lower score indicates a higher risk of developing a pressure ulcer.
Proactive Interventions: Healthcare professionals use the score to tailor care plans, including repositioning, managing moisture, and nutritional support, to prevent skin breakdown.
Evidence-Based Tool: The Braden Scale is a validated and widely used evidence-based tool, proving more effective than relying solely on clinical judgment for risk prediction.
Regular Assessment: It's not a one-time test; the Braden score should be reassessed regularly, especially after a patient's condition changes, to ensure timely intervention.

Understanding the Braden Scale: A Medical Essential

Developed in 1987 by nurses Nancy Braden and Barbara Bergstrom, the Braden Scale is a widely used tool for predicting the risk of pressure ulcers (also known as pressure injuries or bedsores). This is especially important for patients with limited mobility. The scale helps identify at-risk patients and implement preventive strategies. A lower score indicates a higher risk. Assessments are typically done upon admission and regularly thereafter.

The Six Subscales of the Braden Assessment

The Braden Scale uses six subscales to represent risk factors. Each is scored and added for a total score:

Sensory Perception: Assesses the ability to respond to pressure discomfort. Impairment increases risk.
Moisture: Evaluates skin exposure to moisture, which can cause breakdown.
Activity: Measures physical activity level. Limited activity increases risk.
Mobility: Assesses the ability to change body position independently. Immobility increases pressure on areas.
Nutrition: Evaluates nutritional status. Poor nutrition hinders healing.
Friction and Shear: Measures forces causing skin trauma. Friction is rubbing; shear is sliding that stretches deep tissue.

Interpreting the Braden Score and Risk Levels

The total Braden score ranges from 6 to 23. Lower scores mean higher risk. Scores are categorized into risk levels:

19–23: No Risk
15–18: Mild Risk
13–14: Moderate Risk
10–12: High Risk
≤9: Severe Risk

Risk level interpretation may vary slightly by facility or patient group, but the aim is to guide preventative care.

Comparison of Braden Scale vs. Norton Scale

Both scales assess pressure ulcer risk, but differ. The Braden Scale was developed in 1987 and uses 6 subscales, while the Norton Scale was developed in 1962 and uses 5 subscales. Braden scores range from 6-23 and Norton from 5-20, with lower scores indicating higher risk on both. The Braden Scale is more frequently used in the U.S. and guides targeted interventions, while the Norton Scale is less common.

Nursing Interventions Guided by the Braden Scale

Based on the Braden score, nurses implement tailored interventions, including repositioning, using support surfaces, moisture management, nutritional support, and managing friction and shear.

Proactive Patient Care

The Braden Scale is a vital tool for patient safety. It provides a standardized method for risk assessment, allowing teams to identify issues and implement preventative measures, which helps reduce pressure ulcers and improve patient outcomes. A comprehensive understanding of the Braden Scale is key for preventing these complications.

For more information, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality offers resources {Link: AHRQ https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/settings/hospital/resource/pressureulcer/tool/pu7b.html}.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose of the Braden Scale is to provide a standardized, objective method for healthcare professionals to assess a patient's risk of developing pressure ulcers or bedsores. It helps identify at-risk individuals to implement preventive strategies.

The Braden Scale was created by nurses Barbara Braden and Nancy Bergstrom in 1987. It was developed to help other healthcare professionals identify patients at high risk for pressure sores.

The Braden Scale is scored by evaluating a patient across six subscales, each with its own scoring system (typically 1-4). The scores from all six categories are added together, and the total score is used to determine the patient's overall risk level.

A low Braden score indicates a higher risk of developing a pressure ulcer. For example, a score of 12 or lower suggests a patient is at high risk, while a score of 9 or less indicates severe risk.

The six categories, or subscales, are: sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction and shear. These factors cover various aspects of a patient's condition that can contribute to skin breakdown.

While the Braden Scale is widely used, it is most commonly applied to patients who are bedridden, have limited mobility, or are otherwise at risk for developing pressure ulcers. It is a standard assessment tool in many hospital and long-term care settings.

Healthcare providers use the Braden score to develop individualized care plans. This involves implementing specific interventions to address the identified risk factors, such as repositioning schedules, special support mattresses, or dietary changes.

Yes, a patient's Braden score can and often does change. It is not a static assessment. For instance, if a patient's condition improves or declines, their score will be updated to reflect the new risk level.