Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the stages of bed sores or pressure sores?

A: Depending on the severity of a bed sore it is assessed and staged on a scale of Stage 1 to Stage 4. Stage I Pressure Ulcer: A Stage I pressure sore appears as a reddened area of the skin. In persons with darker skin tones it may appear persistently red, blue or purplish. Stage II Pressure Ulcer: A Stage II pressure ulcer appears like a blister, abrasion or shallow crater. A patient with a Stage II pressure ulcer has lost a part of the thickness of the skin. Stage III Pressure Ulcer: A Stage III pressure ulcer appears as a deep crater. The crater may actually extend under the nearby tissue. This is called undermining. If a patient has a Stage III pressure ulcer there has been a full thickness skin loss and possible damage to the underlying tissue. Stage IV Pressure Ulcer: If a patient has a Stage IV pressure ulcer the ulcer is so deep that it has penetrated the full thickness of the skin. Most likely, there has been damage to the underlying muscle, bone, or supporting structures (e.g., tendon, joint, capsule).