Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

What stage of pressure ulcer involves death to the tissue and damage to muscle and bone?

1. Stage I

2. Stage II

3. Stage III

4. Stage IV

The correct answer is: Stage IV

The correct response pertains to Stage IV pressure ulcers, which is characterized by the presence of full-thickness tissue loss. In this stage, there is extensive damage that not only affects the skin but also penetrates through subcutaneous tissue to involve muscle, bone, or supporting structures such as tendons and joint capsules. The skin may appear severely damaged, with necrotic tissue and eschar present, which indicates that there has been significant and irreversible tissue death. This understanding is critical for healthcare providers, as recognizing the severity of pressure ulcers influences treatment options, care strategies, and the urgency of interventions needed to promote healing and prevent further complications. Stages I and II involve less severe damage, where Stage I is characterized by non-blanchable erythema of intact skin, and Stage II shows partial thickness loss of dermis. Stage III is defined by full-thickness tissue loss but does not involve muscle or bone, distinguishing it clearly from Stage IV.