Which statement describes a Stage 3 Ulcer?

Which statement describes a Stage 3 Ulcer?

• A. Full Thickness Loss With Visible Subcutaneous Fat.
• B. Non-Blanchable Redness.
• C. Dry Eschar On Heel.
• D. Slough Obscures Tissue.

Answer: (A)

Stage 3 ulcers involve full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous fat. This means the damage extends through the epidermis and dermis into the subcutaneous tissue, but it does not expose muscle, tendon, or bone. The wound bed may show granulation tissue and the fat layer may be visible, which is the hallmark of a Stage 3 injury. Non-blanchable redness indicates Stage 1, where the skin is intact but not blanching and still without a full-thickness loss. A dry eschar on the heel can obscure depth and is typically considered unstageable until the necrotic tissue is removed to reveal the underlying tissue. Slough obscuring the wound bed also makes staging unstageable, since the true depth can’t be assessed.

Stage 3 ulcers involve full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous fat. This means the damage extends through the epidermis and dermis into the subcutaneous tissue, but it does not expose muscle, tendon, or bone. The wound bed may show granulation tissue and the fat layer may be visible, which is the hallmark of a Stage 3 injury.

Non-blanchable redness indicates Stage 1, where the skin is intact but not blanching and still without a full-thickness loss. A dry eschar on the heel can obscure depth and is typically considered unstageable until the necrotic tissue is removed to reveal the underlying tissue. Slough obscuring the wound bed also makes staging unstageable, since the true depth can’t be assessed.