In which stage of pressure ulcer is there full thickness skin loss?

Full thickness skin loss is characteristic of Stage 3 pressure ulcers. In this stage, all layers of the skin have been breached, and there is damage to the underlying tissues as well. The wound may appear as a deep crater and can also involve subcutaneous tissues, but it does not expose bone, tendon, or muscle. This differentiates it from lower stages, such as Stage 1, where there is no skin loss but rather intact skin with non-blanchable redness. Stage 2 involves partial thickness skin loss, presenting as a shallow open ulcer with a red or pink wound bed, while Stage 4 demonstrates full thickness loss as well but specifically involves exposure of bone, tendon, or muscle, indicating a more severe stage of ulceration. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for appropriate treatment and prevention strategies in geriatric care.