NHA Patient Care Technician (PCT) Practice Exam

A stage III pressure ulcer is characterized by the full thickness loss of skin that may extend into the subcutaneous tissue. This means that the skin is not just damaged at the surface, but significant layers are affected, allowing for the visibility of subcutaneous fat. Additionally, drainage can be present at this stage due to the extensive tissue damage.

Understanding why this answer is correct is essential in recognizing the severity of pressure ulcers. In terms of staging, a stage III ulcer has clearly moved beyond the superficial layers of skin into deeper tissues, distinguishing it from other stages where damage is less extensive. For instance, blisters and peeling skin typically describe stage II pressure ulcers, while reddened skin that does not blanch usually indicates a stage I ulcer. Damage that extends all the way to the bone is classified as a stage IV pressure ulcer, which signifies an even greater level of tissue damage than what is seen in stage III.