Stage III ulcer is defined by which description?

Stage III ulcer is defined by which description?

• A. Full thickness skin loss through the dermis, may include subcutaneous tissue
• B. Nonblanchable erythema with intact epidermis
• C. Full thickness skin loss with exposed muscle
• D. Partial thickness skin loss with blister

Answer: (A)

The depth of tissue loss is what’s being tested. A Stage III pressure ulcer means there is full-thickness skin loss through the dermis with possible involvement of subcutaneous tissue, but no exposure of muscle, bone, or tendon. In practical terms, you’d see tissue loss down to the subcutaneous layer, sometimes with fat visible, and wound edges may be undermined or surrounding tissue compromised. If muscle, tendon, or bone becomes exposed, that would be Stage IV. Stage II is partial-thickness loss (involving epidermis and/or dermis), and Stage I is nonblanchable erythema of intact skin.

The depth of tissue loss is what’s being tested. A Stage III pressure ulcer means there is full-thickness skin loss through the dermis with possible involvement of subcutaneous tissue, but no exposure of muscle, bone, or tendon. In practical terms, you’d see tissue loss down to the subcutaneous layer, sometimes with fat visible, and wound edges may be undermined or surrounding tissue compromised. If muscle, tendon, or bone becomes exposed, that would be Stage IV. Stage II is partial-thickness loss (involving epidermis and/or dermis), and Stage I is nonblanchable erythema of intact skin.