Which stage describes a pressure injury that may extend to the fascia with undermining or tunneling?

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

Answer: (B)

The situation described is about tissue loss that goes beyond the superficial layers and into deeper tissues, with the potential for undermining or tunneling. This depth characterizes a full-thickness skin loss, where the epidermis and dermis are gone and underlying subcutaneous tissue is exposed or involved. Undermining and tunneling are common features at this stage because the wound can undermine adjacent tissue and create channels beneath intact skin.

In this scenario, the damage may extend to the fascia, which is deeper than the dermis and into subcutaneous tissues, but without exposing bone, tendon, or muscle. That combination—full-thickness skin loss with possible undermining or tunneling—fits Stage 3. If bone, tendon, or muscle were exposed, the wound would be classified as Stage 4. If depth is obscured by slough or eschar, the wound would be unstageable. If there is only a shallow, partial-thickness loss involving the epidermis and dermis, it would be Stage 2, and nonblanchable redness with intact skin would be Stage 1.