Which tool is effective for assessing a patient's risk for falls?

The Morse Fall Scale is specifically designed to assess a patient's risk for falls by evaluating several key factors that contribute to fall risk. It takes into account aspects such as history of falls, the presence of secondary diagnoses, the use of ambulatory aids (like canes or walkers), and cognitive status. Each of these factors is assigned a score, and the total score helps healthcare professionals determine whether a patient is at low, moderate, or high risk for falling.

This scale is widely used in clinical settings due to its effectiveness and ease of use, allowing staff to quickly identify individuals who may need additional interventions or precautions to prevent falls. The other tools listed have different primary purposes; for instance, the Braden Scale assesses skin integrity and risk for pressure ulcers, the Glasgow Coma Scale evaluates consciousness level, and the Norton Scale also centers on pressure sore risk. Therefore, while each tool is valuable in its respective area, the Morse Fall Scale is the one specifically tailored for fall risk assessment.