Which description distinguishes Stage 1 ulcer from Stage 2 ulcer?

Which description distinguishes Stage 1 ulcer from Stage 2 ulcer?

• A. Stage 1 Involves Full Thickness Tissue Loss.
• B. Stage 1 Has Exposed Dermis.
• C. Stage 1 Is Characterized By Intact Skin With Non-Blanchable Redness.
• D. Stage 1 Shows Partial Thickness Loss With Exposed Dermis.

Answer: (C)

Stage 1 is defined by intact skin with non-blanchable redness, meaning there is no tissue loss yet—the skin over a bony area remains closed, and pressing on the area does not cause the redness to fade. This highlights an early, reversible stage where injury is in the superficial layers and inflammation is present without open wounds. In contrast, Stage 2 shows partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis, presenting as a shallow open ulcer with a red-pink wound bed. So the key distinction is intact skin with non-blanchable redness versus partial-thickness loss with exposed dermis. Choices that describe tissue loss or exposed dermis point to Stage 2 or higher, not Stage 1.

Stage 1 is defined by intact skin with non-blanchable redness, meaning there is no tissue loss yet—the skin over a bony area remains closed, and pressing on the area does not cause the redness to fade. This highlights an early, reversible stage where injury is in the superficial layers and inflammation is present without open wounds. In contrast, Stage 2 shows partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis, presenting as a shallow open ulcer with a red-pink wound bed. So the key distinction is intact skin with non-blanchable redness versus partial-thickness loss with exposed dermis. Choices that describe tissue loss or exposed dermis point to Stage 2 or higher, not Stage 1.