Which stage presents as partial-thickness skin loss with a fleshy pink base and possible blistering?

• A. Stage 1
• B. Stage 4
• C. Stage 2
• D. Unstageable

Answer: (C)

Understanding how pressure injuries are staged by depth and wound appearance helps distinguish partial-thickness losses from deeper damage. Partial-thickness skin loss means the injury extends through the epidermis and into the dermis but does not involve deeper structures. A wound described as having a fleshy pink base, with or without a blister, fits Stage II because the dermis is involved but there is no exposure of fat, muscle, tendon, or bone. The pink wound bed indicates dermal involvement, and blisters are common in this stage.

In contrast, Stage I shows intact skin with non-blanchable redness, Stage III involves full-thickness loss with exposed subcutaneous tissue, Stage IV reaches bone, tendon, or muscle, and unstageable wounds have slough or eschar obscuring the wound bed. The described description clearly aligns with Stage II.