Question

Which stage pressure ulcer involves the entire layer of skin and exposes subcutaneous fat and muscle?

Option 1: Stage I
Option 2: Stage II
Option 3: Stage III
Option 4: Stage IV

Answer 1

A Stage III pressure ulcer involves the entire layer of skin and exposes subcutaneous fat and muscle, differing from less severe stages which have more superficial damage and Stage IV which exposes bone, tendon, or muscle.

Step-by-step explanation:

The stage of pressure ulcer that involves the entire layer of skin and exposes subcutaneous fat and muscle is Stage III. Stage I pressure ulcers present with intact skin and non-blanchable redness. Stage II progresses to an open ulcer with partial thickness loss of dermis. However, it is Stage III that involves full thickness tissue loss where subcutaneous fat may be visible, but bone, tendon, or muscle is not exposed. Finally, Stage IV pressure ulcers are the most severe, with full thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon, or muscle.