Norton Scale high risk threshold for pressure ulcers?

Norton Scale high risk threshold for pressure ulcers?

• A. 12 and below
• B. 16 and above
• C. 14 and below
• D. 15 and above

Answer: (C)

The Norton scale uses five factors—physical condition, mental state, activity, mobility, and incontinence—each scored 1 to 4, for a total of 5 to 20. The lower the total, the greater the risk for developing pressure ulcers. In many nursing practice materials, a score of 14 or below is considered high risk, because it reflects significant impairment across these areas, meaning the patient is less able to move, has poorer overall health, and is more susceptible to skin breakdown. Scores above 14 indicate progressively lower risk, with 15 and above typically viewed as not high risk, though ongoing preventive care is still important. Therefore, 14 and below is the threshold classifying someone as high risk in this context.

The Norton scale uses five factors—physical condition, mental state, activity, mobility, and incontinence—each scored 1 to 4, for a total of 5 to 20. The lower the total, the greater the risk for developing pressure ulcers. In many nursing practice materials, a score of 14 or below is considered high risk, because it reflects significant impairment across these areas, meaning the patient is less able to move, has poorer overall health, and is more susceptible to skin breakdown. Scores above 14 indicate progressively lower risk, with 15 and above typically viewed as not high risk, though ongoing preventive care is still important. Therefore, 14 and below is the threshold classifying someone as high risk in this context.