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Pressure Ulcer — SCE Dermatology MCQ

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EasyWound HealingPressure UlcerSCE Dermatology

A 65-year-old man with limited mobility develops a sacral pressure ulcer. It is a 4 × 3 cm full-thickness tissue loss exposing subcutaneous fat but no tendon, muscle, or bone. Using the NPUAP/EPUAP classification, what category is this?

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Correct answer: C — Category III

NPUAP/EPUAP Category III pressure ulcers involve full-thickness skin loss with subcutaneous fat visible but no exposure of bone, tendon, or muscle. Category I shows non-blanchable erythema of intact skin. Category II is partial-thickness (blistering/shallow ulcer). Category IV shows exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. Unstageable ulcers have wound beds obscured by slough or eschar. Management includes pressure redistribution, nutritional optimisation, wound bed preparation, and appropriate dressings. Negative pressure wound therapy may be used for deep cavities.

Reference: NICE CG179 2014 Pressure Ulcers; EPUAP/NPUAP 2019