Which statement correctly differentiates Stage 3 from Stage 4 pressure injuries?

Prepare for the Tissue Integrity NSG 100 Exam 3 with targeted questions and detailed explanations. Enhance your understanding and get exam-ready with comprehensive content.

Multiple Choice

Which statement correctly differentiates Stage 3 from Stage 4 pressure injuries?

Explanation:
The key idea is how deep the injury goes and what tissues are exposed. Stage 3 is full-thickness skin loss with fat visible, meaning the wound goes through the skin into the subcutaneous tissue but does not expose bone, tendon, or muscle. Stage 4 goes even deeper, with full-thickness tissue loss and exposure of bone, tendon, or muscle, often with undermining or tunneling. This precise wording—Stage 3 as full-thickness skin loss with fat visible and Stage 4 as full-thickness tissue loss with bone, tendon, or muscle exposed—makes the difference clear.

The key idea is how deep the injury goes and what tissues are exposed. Stage 3 is full-thickness skin loss with fat visible, meaning the wound goes through the skin into the subcutaneous tissue but does not expose bone, tendon, or muscle. Stage 4 goes even deeper, with full-thickness tissue loss and exposure of bone, tendon, or muscle, often with undermining or tunneling. This precise wording—Stage 3 as full-thickness skin loss with fat visible and Stage 4 as full-thickness tissue loss with bone, tendon, or muscle exposed—makes the difference clear.

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