Wound Treatment Associate (WTA) Practice Exam

What distinguishes a Stage 2 pressure injury from a Stage 1 pressure injury?

1. It involves complete tissue loss

2. Intact skin with erythema

3. Partial-thickness skin loss

4. Presence of necrotic tissue

The correct answer is: Partial-thickness skin loss

A Stage 2 pressure injury is characterized by partial-thickness skin loss, which means that the injury affects the epidermis and may extend into, but not through, the dermis. This type of pressure injury presents as a shallow open ulcer with a red or pink wound bed and may also manifest as an intact or ruptured serum-filled blister. The distinction from a Stage 1 pressure injury, which involves intact skin but with non-blanchable erythema, is crucial. In Stage 1, the skin remains unbroken and merely shows signs of pressure such as redness. However, in Stage 2, there is actual tissue disruption that indicates a deeper degree of injury. Understanding this classification is essential for effective treatment and management of pressure injuries, as it guides appropriate interventions and prevention strategies to mitigate further tissue damage.