What term describes full-thickness tissue loss in which the base of the ulcer is covered by slough or eschar?

What term describes full-thickness tissue loss in which the base of the ulcer is covered by slough or eschar?

• A. Stage 1 pressure ulcer
• B. Stage 2 pressure ulcer
• C. Stage 3 pressure injury
• D. Unstageable pressure ulcer

Answer: (D)

When tissue loss is full-thickness but the wound bed is hidden by slough or eschar, the injury is described as unstageable. The depth can’t be determined until those necrotic tissues are removed or resolved, so you can’t assign a precise stage yet. Once the base is exposed, the wound is reclassified as depth-based stage 3 or stage 4 depending on what structures are involved. This differs from wounds where the depth is visible from the start, without obscuring tissue. Slough or eschar masking the bed is what makes this term the best fit.

When tissue loss is full-thickness but the wound bed is hidden by slough or eschar, the injury is described as unstageable. The depth can’t be determined until those necrotic tissues are removed or resolved, so you can’t assign a precise stage yet. Once the base is exposed, the wound is reclassified as depth-based stage 3 or stage 4 depending on what structures are involved. This differs from wounds where the depth is visible from the start, without obscuring tissue. Slough or eschar masking the bed is what makes this term the best fit.