Which parameter is most likely to have contributed to the patient's high Waterlow score?

The Waterlow score is a tool used to assess the risk of pressure ulcers in patients. It takes into account various parameters, including mobility, skin condition, and nutritional status among others, to determine a patient's overall risk.

High alcohol consumption can significantly contribute to an elevated Waterlow score. Chronic alcohol use can lead to malnutrition, as it often interferes with the absorption of essential nutrients and can also contribute to muscle wasting and skin integrity issues. This can increase a patient's susceptibility to pressure ulcers due to reduced tissue perfusion and impaired healing capacity.

While cognitive status, continence, and history of recent falls are relevant factors in assessing risk, they do not directly correlate with the nutritional deficits and skin health issues more commonly associated with high alcohol consumption. Cognitive status may influence mobility and care ability, continence impacts skin integrity, and falls relate to mobility and injury risk, yet none of these are as directly linked to the nutritional and physiological impairments caused by alcohol as the high consumption itself. Thus, alcohol consumption is the most significant contributor to a high Waterlow score in this context.