This document defines and describes the stages of pressure injuries, from Stage 1 (intact skin with non-blanchable erythema) to Stage 4 (full thickness skin and tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon or muscle). It also covers unstageable injuries, deep tissue pressure injuries, and injuries related to medical devices. The stages are defined by the extent of skin and tissue damage, from non-blanchable redness to complete tissue loss. Accurate staging is important for treatment and prevention of further injury.

1. Characteristics
& Staging
M O D U L E 1

2. What is a Pressure
Injury?

3. D e f i n i t i o n :
A pressure injury is localized
damage to the skin and underlying
soft tissue usually over a bony
prominence or related to a medical
or other device. The injury can
present as intact skin or an open
ulcer and may be painful. The
injury occurs as a result of intense
and/or prolonged pressure or
pressure in combination with shear.
The tolerance of soft tissue for
pressure and shear may also be
affected by microclimate, nutrition,
perfusion, co-morbidities and
condition of the soft tissue.

4. Intact Skin

5. S T A G E 1
Intact skin with a localized
area of non-blanchable
erythema, which may appear
differently in darkly
pigmented skin. Presence of
blanchable erythema or
changes in sensation,
temperature, or firmness may
precede visual changes. Color
changes do not include
purple or maroon
discoloration; these may
indicate deep tissue pressure
injury.
Non-blanchable erythema of intact
skin

6. Blanchable vs. Unblanchable Skin

7. Stage 1

8. S T A G E 2
Partial-thickness loss of skin with
exposed dermis. The wound bed is
viable, pink or red, moist, and may also
present as an intact or ruptured serum-
filled blister. Adipose (fat) is not visible
and deeper tissues are not visible.
Granulation tissue, slough and eschar are
not present. These injuries commonly
result from adverse microclimate and
shear in the skin over the pelvis and
shear in the heel. This stage should not
be used to describe moisture associated
skin damage (MASD) including
incontinence associated dermatitis (IAD),
intertriginous dermatitis (ITD), medical
adhesive related skin injury (MARSI), or
traumatic wounds (skin tears, burns,
abrasions).
Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed
dermis

9. Stage 2

10. S T A G E 3
Full-thickness loss of skin, in which
adipose (fat) is visible in the ulcer and
granulation tissue and epibole (rolled
wound edges) are often present. Slough
and/or eschar may be visible. The depth
of tissue damage varies by anatomical
location; areas of significant adiposity
can develop deep wounds. Undermining
and tunneling may occur. Fascia, muscle,
tendon, ligament, cartilage and/or bone
are not exposed.
Full-thickness skin loss

11. Stage 3

12. S T A G E 4
Full-thickness skin and tissue loss with
exposed or directly palpable fascia,
muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage or
bone in the ulcer. Slough and/or eschar
may be visible. Epibole (rolled edges),
undermining and/or tunneling often
occur. Depth varies by anatomical
location.
Full-thickness skin & tissue loss

13. Stage 4

14. U N S T A G E A B L E
Full-thickness skin and tissue loss in
which the extent of tissue damage within
the ulcer cannot be confirmed because it
is obscured by slough or eschar. If slough
or eschar is removed, a Stage 3 or Stage
4 pressure injury will be revealed. Stable
eschar (i.e. dry, adherent, intact without
erythema or fluctuance) on the heel or
ischemic limb should not be softened or
removed.
Obscured full-thickness skin
and tissue loss

15. Unstageable

16. D E E P T I S S U E
P R E S S U R E I N J U R Y
Intact or non-intact skin with localized
area of persistent non-blanchable deep
red, maroon, purple discoloration or
epidermal separation revealing a dark
wound bed or blood filled blister. Pain
and temperature change often precede
skin color changes. Discoloration may
appear differently in darkly pigmented
skin. This injury results from intense
and/or prolonged pressure and shear
forces at the bone-muscle interface. The
wound may evolve rapidly to reveal the
actual extent of tissue injury, or may
resolve without tissue loss.
Persistent non-blanchable deep red,
maroon, or purple discoloration

17. Deep Tissue Pressure Injury

18. M E D I C A L D E V I C E &
M U C O S A L I N J U R I E S
Medical device related pressure injuries
result from the use of devices designed
and applied for diagnostic or therapeutic
purposes. The resultant pressure injury
generally conforms to the pattern or
shape of the device. The injury should be
staged using the staging system.
Exception: If the injury is to a mucous
membrane ( mouth, lips, tongue, vagina)
then the wound is not staged.
Medical devices- fixators, ET tubes,
oxygen cannulas & masks, foley
catheters, fecal management
systems, ostomies.
Special Considerations

19. R e f e r e n c e s :
Edsberg, L. E., Black, J. M., Goldberg, M.,
McNichol, L., Moore, L., & Sieggreen, M.
(2016). Revised National Pressure Ulcer
Advisory Panel Pressure Injury Staging
System: Revised Pressure Injury Staging
System. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs,
43(6), 585-597.
doi:10.1097/won.0000000000000281
National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel.
(2018). Pressure Injury Stages. Retrieved
November 2018, from NPIAP:
https://npiap.com/page/PressureInjuryStages