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

AIM: 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.

BACKGROUND: 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.

METHODS: 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.

RESULTS: 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%).

CONCLUSIONS: 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).

IMPLICATIONS: 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.