Decubitus Ulcer Staging - Pressure Ulcer Stages help staff determine Degree of Harm to the patient. Stage I: • Intact skin with localized, non-blanchable erythema over a bony prominence. • The area may be painful, firm or soft and warmer or cooler when compared to surrounding tissue. • Darkly pigmented skin may not show visible blanching, however the colour of the Stage I ulcer will appear different than the colour of surrounding skin. • Indicates the patient is at risk for further tissue damage if pressure is not relieved. Stage II • A partial thickness wound presenting as a shallow, open ulcer with a red/pink wound bed. • May also present as an intact or open/ruptured serum-filled or serosanguinous-filled blister. • Slough may be present but does not obscure the depth of tissue loss. Stage III • A full thickness wound. • Subcutaneous tissue may be visible but bone, tendon and muscle are not exposed. • May include undermining or sinus tracks. • Slough or eschar may be present but does not obscure the depth of tissue loss. Stage IV • A full thickness wound with exposed bone, tendon or muscle. • Often includes undermining and/or sinus tracks. • Slough or eschar may be present on some parts of the wound bed but does not obscure the depth of tissue loss. #Diagnosis #Staging #Sacral #Decubitus #Pressure #Ulcers #Stages #III #IV #StageIII #Nursing ** GrepMed Recommended Text: Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas of Clinical Dermatology - https://amzn.to/2AyuB3T
