Which description best matches Stage 3 Ulcer?

Which description best matches Stage 3 Ulcer?

• A. Full Thickness Loss With Exposed Bone Or Muscle.
• B. Partial Thickness Loss With Exposed Dermis Visible.
• C. Full Thickness Loss With Visible Subcutaneous Fat.
• D. Dry, Intact Eschar On Heel Should Not Be Removed.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is recognizing how deep the tissue loss goes and what tissue is exposed in a pressure ulcer. Stage 3 describes full-thickness skin loss that extends through the epidermis and dermis to involve the subcutaneous tissue. Seeing exposed subcutaneous fat means the wound has breached both surface layers and reached fat beneath, which is exactly what defines full-thickness loss at this stage. If bone, tendon, or muscle were exposed, that would indicate a deeper injury consistent with the next stage. If only the dermis and part of the epidermis were missing, the wound would be a Stage 2. An intact dry eschar on the heel represents a situation where depth can be difficult to assess or the wound is considered unstageable due to the necrotic tissue obscuring depth, so it’s not described as Stage 3.

The main idea here is recognizing how deep the tissue loss goes and what tissue is exposed in a pressure ulcer. Stage 3 describes full-thickness skin loss that extends through the epidermis and dermis to involve the subcutaneous tissue. Seeing exposed subcutaneous fat means the wound has breached both surface layers and reached fat beneath, which is exactly what defines full-thickness loss at this stage.

If bone, tendon, or muscle were exposed, that would indicate a deeper injury consistent with the next stage. If only the dermis and part of the epidermis were missing, the wound would be a Stage 2. An intact dry eschar on the heel represents a situation where depth can be difficult to assess or the wound is considered unstageable due to the necrotic tissue obscuring depth, so it’s not described as Stage 3.