Which statement is true about the Braden scale?

• A. It evaluates hydration status
• B. It screens for cognitive impairment
• C. It measures respiratory function
• D. It assesses risk of pressure ulcers

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is recognizing that the Braden scale is a tool used to identify a patient’s risk of developing pressure ulcers. It evaluates six factors that influence skin integrity—sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear. Each area gets scored, and the total score (ranging from 6 to 23) tells you how likely a patient is to develop ulcers: lower scores mean higher risk. This makes the statement true because the scale’s purpose is specifically to assess pressure-ulcer risk and guide preventive measures such as repositioning, skin care, support surfaces, and nutritional interventions. It is not a hydration status screen, a cognitive-impairment screen, or a respiratory function test, even though moisture is a factor in the assessment.