Relationship between pressure ulcer risk based on Norton Scale and on the "Eating/Drinking" need assessment

To study the relationship between pressure ulcer risk evaluated by the Norton Scale and inadequate fulfilment of Need 2 (Eating/Drinking) from the 14-need classification designed by Virginia Henderson.

Assessing nutritional status and skin condition to implement preventive measures are important nursing interventions. Our hospital's standard procedure requires recording Norton Scale and Henderson Eating/Drinking Assessment results.

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, analysing case histories of 219 patients in medical/surgical wards for >24 hr with nursing care recorded in the GACELA Care computer application. Patient sociodemographic variables and evaluation concepts from the Norton Scale and Eating/Drinking were studied.

A statistically significant relationship (p < 0.05; 95% CI: 0.61, 2.83) was seen between inadequate Eating/Drinking need fulfilment and increased pressure ulcer risk. Pressure ulcer risk was generally low in the sample, with mainly no or minimum risk (77.3%); the oldest age group had the highest risk. Self-care autonomy was the most frequently assessed item in Eating/Drinking (42%).

A relationship was found between Norton Scale risk results and Eating/Drinking need assessment results. The greater the pressure ulcer risk, the more likely was inadequate need satisfaction (poor nutritional status).

To help identify pressure ulcer risk, nurses should assess patients' eating independence. Safeguarding nutritional status and preventing pressure ulcers are nursing skills associated with quality nursing care.