Which of the following BEST describes a Stage 3 pressure ulcer?

Stage 3 pressure ulcers are defined byfull-thickness skin losswhere the injury extends through the dermis and involvesdamage or necrosis of subcutaneous tissue. Clinically, the ulcer may present as a deep crater and can include undermining or tunneling, but the key boundary is thatbone, tendon, and muscle are not exposed. That deeper involvement (exposed muscle/tendon/bone) is characteristic of Stage 4, making option C incorrect. Option D describes partial-thickness loss, which aligns with Stage 2 (epidermis/dermis involvement such as abrasion or blister). Option A reflects early skin changes that correspond more closely to Stage 1 (intact skin with non-blanchable erythema and possible localized edema/induration). In outpatient CDI chart review, accurately distinguishing Stage 3 from Stage 2 and Stage 4 is essential because staging drives severity capture, care planning (wound care interventions, debridement considerations), and quality reporting. Documentation should clearly support “full thickness,” the tissue layers involved, and the absence of exposed bone/tendon/muscle.