Question

A doctor was looking at a patient's decubitus ulcer. There was dead skin that was about to shed and it looked light in

color and stringy. The doctor could also see a layer of fat. Which correctly gives the terms for the shed skin and the
stage of the ulcer, respectively?
O slough; stage 3
O eschar; stage 3
O slough; stage 4
O eschar; stage 4

Answer 1

Hi, there! :)

Answer: The correct answer is "slough; stage 3".

Slough refers to the dead skin tissue that can accumulate on a wound or ulcer. It is usually moist, stringy, and light in color. In contrast, eschar refers to a dry, black, or brown scab or crust that forms over a wound or ulcer.

The stages of ulcers are commonly classified using the "pressure injury staging system" developed by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. In this system, stage 3 ulcers involve full-thickness tissue loss, where the fat layer underneath the skin is visible, but:

• bones,
• tendons,
• or muscles are not exposed.

In stage 4 ulcers, there is even deeper tissue loss, with exposed bones, tendons, or muscles.

In the given scenario, the presence of slough indicates that the dead skin is about to shed, and the presence of a visible layer of fat indicates that the ulcer is at stage 3, rather than stage 4, where there would be exposed deeper tissue. Therefore, the correct answer is "slough; stage 3".

Hope that helps! Good luck! ^_^