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 Release 22.0, Sept. 2008
 
Chapter : ch21. Dermatology Section : Pressure Ulceration
  Gosnell Scale for Predicting Risk of Pressure Ulcer

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Overview :

The Gosnell scale is used to assess the risk of pressure sore development.

 

Parameters evaluated (5):

(1) mental status: an assessment of one's level of response to his/her environment

(2) continence: the amount of bodily control of urination and defecation

(3) mobility: the amount and control of movement of one's body

(4) activity: the ability of an individual to ambulate

(5) nutrition: the process of food intake

 

In addition, evaluation includes recording of:

• vital signs: temperature, pulse, respirations and blood pressure

• skin appearance: color moisture, temperature and texture

• diet

• 24-hour fluid balance: daily fluid intake and output

• interventions: all devices, measures and/or nursing care activity being used for the purpose of pressure sore prevention

• medications

• comments

 

Parameter

Finding

Description

Points

mental status

alert

Oriented to time, place and person. Responsive to all stimuli, and understands explanations.

1

 

apathetic

Lethargic, forgetful, drowsy, passive and dull. Sluggish, depressed. Able to obey simple commands. Possibly disoriented to time.

2

 

confused

Partial and/or intermittent disorientation to time, person and place. Purposeless response to stimuli. Restless, aggressive, irritable, anxious and may require tranquilizers or sedatives.

3

 

stuporous

Total disorientation. Does not respond to name, simple commands, or verbal stimuli.

4

 

unconscious

Non-responsive to painful stimuli.

5

continence

fully controlled

Total control of urine and feces.

1

 

usually controlled

Incontinence of urine and/or of feces not more often than once every 2 days. Or, has Foley catheter and is incontinent of feces.

2

 

minimally controlled

Incontinent of urine or feces at least once in 24 hours.

3

 

absence of control

Consistently incontent of both urine and feces.

4

mobility

full

Able to control and move all extremities at will. May require the use of a device but turns, lifts, pulls, balances, and attains sitting position at will.

1

 

slightly limited

Able to control and move all extremities but a degree of limitation is present. Requires assistance of another person to turn, pull, balance and/or attain a sitting position at will but self-initiates movement or request for help to move.

2

 

very limited

Can assist another person who must initiate movement via turning, lifting, pulling, balancing and/or attaining a sitting position (contractures, paralysis may be present).

3

 

immobile

Does not assist self in any way to change position. Is unable to change position without assistance. Is completely dependent on others for movement.

4

activity

ambulatory

Is able to walk unassisted. Rises from bed unassisted. With the use of a device such as a cane or walker is able to ambulate without the assistance of another person.

1

 

walks with help

Able to ambulate with assistance of another person, braces or crutches. May have limitation of stairs.

2

 

chairfast

Ambulates only to chair, requires assistance to do so. Or, is a confined to a wheelchair.

3

 

bedfast

Is confined to bed during entire 24 hours of the day.

4

nutrition

regular food intake

Eats some food from each basic food category every day and the majority of each meal served. Or, is on tube feeding.

1

 

occasionally misses food intake

Occasionally refuses a meal or frequently leaves at least half of a meal.

2

 

seldom intakes food

Seldom eats a complete meal and only a few bites of food at a meal.

3

 

Interpretation:

• minimum score 5

• maximum score 20

• score 5: very low risk of pressure ulcer

• score 20: very high risk of pressure ulcer

 

  References:

Gosnell DJ. Pressure sore risk assessment: A critique. Part I: The Gosnell scale. Decubitus. 1989; 2 (No. 3): 32-38.

 

 

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