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What is a characteristic of a Stage 1 pressure injury?

  1. Partial-thickness skin loss

  2. Intact skin with non-blanchable erythema

  3. Exposure of fatty tissue

  4. A loss of epidermis and dermis

The correct answer is: Intact skin with non-blanchable erythema

A Stage 1 pressure injury is characterized by intact skin that shows non-blanchable erythema, indicating localized redness that does not turn white when pressure is applied. This stage reflects damage to the skin, but no actual loss of skin integrity has occurred. The presence of non-blanchable erythema suggests that there is a degree of tissue damage under the skin, which is a critical sign for early intervention. In contrast, partial-thickness skin loss, exposure of fatty tissue, and loss of epidermis and dermis correspond to more advanced stages of pressure injuries. These stages indicate increasing severity of damage, including open wounds and deeper tissue involvement, which are not characteristics of a Stage 1 injury. Thus, understanding the definition and indicators of a Stage 1 pressure injury is essential in wound management and prevention of progression to more severe injuries.