Which score on the Braden scale indicates a patient usually needs an air support surface?

A score of 10-12 on the Braden scale indicates that a patient is at a high risk for pressure ulcers and is likely to benefit from an air support surface. The Braden scale is a tool used to assess a patient's risk of developing pressure ulcers based on various factors including sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction.

When a patient scores in the 10-12 range, it reflects significant limitations in mobility and moisture control, among other factors, that considerably increase their risk. An air support surface, such as an air mattress, can alleviate pressure by redistributing weight and reducing the severity of pressure on vulnerable areas, thus promoting skin integrity and minimizing the risk of ulcer development.

Scores of 15-18 indicate a lower risk category where routine preventive measures may suffice, while scores of 13-14 suggest a moderate risk that may benefit from less intensive interventions. A score of less than 10 categorically places the patient in the highest risk category, where immediate and comprehensive interventions are imperative, but an air support surface is typically one of the first recommendations for those scoring between 10-12.