Which stage of pressure ulcer is characterized by intact skin with nonblanchable erythema?

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

Answer: (A)

Stage 1 pressure injury is defined by intact skin with localized nonblanchable erythema, typically over a bony prominence. Nonblanchable means the redness does not fade when you press on it, signaling early tissue damage in the epidermis rather than a true skin break. Because the skin remains intact, this is the earliest stage of a pressure-related injury. The other stages involve actual skin loss (partial-thickness or full-thickness) or areas where slough or eschar obscures the wound, which isn’t present here. In darker skin tones, the discoloration may appear as purplish or maroon rather than bright red, but the nonblanching redness is the key sign. Early pressure relief and protective measures can prevent progression.