Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

What defines a stage 2 pressure injury?

1. Hyperpigmented skin

2. Full-thickness skin loss

3. Partial thickness skin loss with exposed dermis

4. Non-blanchable erythema

The correct answer is: Partial thickness skin loss with exposed dermis

A stage 2 pressure injury is specifically defined as a partial thickness skin loss involving the epidermis and/or dermis. This definition highlights that the injury extends through the first layer of skin (the epidermis) and involves the second layer (the dermis) but does not extend beyond it into the deeper tissues, which is characteristic of full-thickness injuries. When skin is injured to this extent, it may appear as a blister, abrasion, or a shallow crater with an exposed dermis, which is pink or red and moist. In contrast, hyperpigmented skin typically represents areas that have been damaged but do not serve as indicators of a stage 2 injury. Full-thickness skin loss describes a more severe injury (stage 3 or beyond), while non-blanchable erythema indicates localized redness that does not fade upon pressure but does not yet denote a breakdown of the skin. Therefore, identifying a stage 2 pressure injury as involving partial thickness skin loss with an exposed dermis aligns with current clinical definitions in wound care.