Which description best defines an unstageable pressure ulcer?

• A. Ulcer base fully exposed with tissue
• B. Ulcer base covered by slough and eschar that needs to be removed to stage
• C. Red pink wound bed with no sloughing
• D. Full thickness skin loss with exposed bone

Answer: (B)

Unstageable pressure ulcers are those where you can’t determine depth because the wound bed is hidden by slough or eschar. The depth can’t be assessed until these coverings are removed or debrided to reveal how deep the tissue damage goes. The description fits this pattern because the ulcer base is covered by slough and eschar that must be removed to stage the wound properly; once debrided, the true depth will dictate the stage, such as stage III or IV.

Other options don’t fit because visible tissue in the wound bed (no slough or eschar) allows staging based on depth, such as a red-pink wound bed indicating a superficial injury (stage I or II) or a full-thickness loss with exposed bone indicating a clearly visible deeper stage (stage IV).