Brief Description

The Norton Scale, also known as the Norton Pressure Sore Risk Assessment Scale (NS), is a clinical tool used to assess a patient’s risk of developing pressure ulcers, also referred to as pressure sores or bedsores. It was developed by Norton and colleagues to help healthcare professionals identify relevant risk factors and implement appropriate preventive measures.

The scale provides a structured approach to risk assessment and can be incorporated into broader clinical and nursing evaluations of patients who may be vulnerable to pressure-related skin injury.

Aim

The primary aim of the Norton Scale is to identify individuals who are at increased risk of developing pressure ulcers, so that appropriate preventive strategies can be introduced in a timely manner.

The scale supports the healthcare team in assessing relevant risk factors and planning interventions intended to reduce the likelihood of pressure ulcer development.

Factors Assessed

According to the source material, the Norton Scale assesses several aspects of the patient’s condition, including:

Physical condition: the patient’s overall physical status.

Mental condition: the patient’s mental or cognitive state.

Mobility: the degree to which the patient is able to move or change position.

Incontinence: the presence and extent of continence-related problems.

These factors are considered together to provide an overall estimate of pressure ulcer risk.

Scoring

Each factor is assigned a score, and the individual scores are combined to produce a total risk score. The total score is then used to classify the patient’s level of risk.

The uploaded source states that higher scores indicate a higher risk of developing pressure ulcers.

The source material does not provide the full scoring table, exact score ranges, or detailed cut-off points for risk categories. Therefore, these details cannot be established from the uploaded document alone.

Clinical Use

The Norton Scale may be used in clinical and nursing practice as part of a systematic assessment of factors associated with pressure ulcer development.

Its findings can support the healthcare team in planning preventive measures, monitoring vulnerable patients, and organizing care according to the assessed level of risk.

The scale should be used as part of a broader clinical assessment rather than as a substitute for professional clinical judgment.

Applications

The Norton Scale can be applied in healthcare settings where assessment of pressure ulcer risk is required.

It may support:

  • identification of patients at increased risk,
  • planning of preventive interventions,
  • systematic monitoring of patient status,
  • and research on factors associated with pressure ulcer development.

Interpretation should always take into account the patient’s broader clinical condition and the judgment of the healthcare team.

References

Norton, D., McLaren, R., & Exton, M. (1962). The Norton Scale: A risk assessment for pressure ulcers. Nursing Times, 58, 21–25.

Bader, D. L., & Bader, D. L. (2003). Pressure ulcers: Clinical practice and guidelines. Clinical Nursing Research, 12(1), 42–58.

Miller, T., & Kluchko, A. (1994). The Norton Scale: Clinical applications and effectiveness. Journal of Wound Care, 3(2), 98–104.

Braden, B. J., & Bergstrom, N. (2005). Risk assessment for pressure ulcers: Braden Scale and Norton Scale. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 20(3), 226–234.

Cuddigan, J., & Berlowitz, D. R. (2003). Pressure ulcer risk assessment tools: A comparative review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 12(2), 146–155.