Which stage involves partial-thickness skin loss with a visible dermis or blistering?

Which stage involves partial-thickness skin loss with a visible dermis or blistering?

• A. Stage 1
• B. Stage 3
• C. Stage 2
• D. Unstageable

Answer: (C)

Stage II pressure ulcers involve partial-thickness skin loss with exposure of the dermis or the presence of a blister. The wound bed is pink to red and moist, and a blister may be intact or ruptured. This indicates damage that goes through the epidermis and into the dermis but does not extend to subcutaneous tissue. That’s why the described presentation fits Stage II. In contrast, Stage I is characterized by intact skin with non‑blanchable redness; Stage III shows full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous tissue; and an unstageable ulcer has depth that cannot be assessed because of slough or eschar.

Stage II pressure ulcers involve partial-thickness skin loss with exposure of the dermis or the presence of a blister. The wound bed is pink to red and moist, and a blister may be intact or ruptured. This indicates damage that goes through the epidermis and into the dermis but does not extend to subcutaneous tissue. That’s why the described presentation fits Stage II.

In contrast, Stage I is characterized by intact skin with non‑blanchable redness; Stage III shows full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous tissue; and an unstageable ulcer has depth that cannot be assessed because of slough or eschar.