NDNQI Pressure Ulcer Prevalence Study


Home \| Pressure Ulcer Staging \| Other Wound Types \| Prevalence Study Protocol \| Community vs Hospital/Unit PU
Module Home Page and Outline General Staging Information Pressure Ulcer Location Stage I Pressure Ulcers Stage II Pressure Ulcers Stage III Pressure Ulcers Stage IV Pressure Ulcers Unstageable Pressure Ulcers Deep Tissue Injury Pressure Ulcer Staging Test	Stage III Pressure Ulcer Full thickness tissue loss. Subcutaneous fat may be visible but bone, tendon or muscle are not exposed. Slough may be present but does not obscure the depth of tissue loss. Stage III pressure ulcers may include undermining and tunneling. Further Description: The depth of a stage III pressure ulcer varies by anatomical location. The bridge of the nose, ear, occiput and malleolus do not have subcutaneous tissue and Stage III ulcers can be shallow. In contrast, areas of significant adiposity can develop extremely deep Stage III pressure ulcers. Bone/tendon is not visible or directly palpable. Used with permission Lippincott Williams & Wilkins