Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) Practice Exam

How is sensory perception ranked in the Braden scale?

1. 1 - No impairment

2. 4 - Very limited ability to feel pain

3. 2 - Limited ability to feel pain over half of the body

4. 3 - No ability to feel pain in both legs

The correct answer is: 2 - Limited ability to feel pain over half of the body

The Braden Scale is a widely used tool for assessing a patient's risk of developing pressure ulcers, and sensory perception is one of the key components evaluated. In the context of the Braden Scale, the ranking of sensory perception is directly linked to the individual's ability to feel discomfort or pain, which is crucial for recognizing and responding to pressure and other skin injury risks. Limited ability to feel pain, particularly over a significant portion of the body, suggests that the individual may not respond appropriately to pressure, as they do not feel discomfort that would typically prompt movement or repositioning. This reduced awareness can lead to an increased risk of pressure ulcers because the individual might remain in one position for extended periods without making adjustments to relieve pressure. On the Braden Scale, a score of 2 indicates that the patient has a limited ability to feel pain over half of their body. This properly reflects the scale's categorization, where this level denotes a significant risk due to mobilization limitations and impaired sensory perception. The other options present alternate scenarios of sensory perception that do not align with the established scoring of the Braden Scale, where a score of 1 indicates no impairment, a score of 3 suggests more severe limitations without complete loss (such as inability to feel pain