When unrelieved pressure causes damage to the skin and underlying structures, an ulceration can develop, known as a pressure injury. There are many factors that can contribute to the development of a pressure injury such as friction, shear, moisture, pressure, limited mobility, obesity, or other comorbidities. Stage Il is a partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis.

Pressure injuries tend to occur over bony prominences on the body such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, sacrum, buttocks, ankles, heels and toes. In Stage Il pressure injuries, the outermost layer of skin is disrupted, exposing a pink or red wound bed. Note that it can also present as a ruptured or intact fluid-filled blister. Granulation tissue, slough, and eschar are not present. Careful not to confuse Stage Il pressure injuries with similar wound types such as moisture-associated skin damage (MASD), skin tears, burns, or abrasions, which look similar but have a different etiology altogether. A good history of the how the wound began will help you to determine the correct wound type.

The main goal in treating a Stage Il injury is to relieve pressure and prevent deterioration. All of the pressure relieving techniques (such as positioning and managing moisture) utilized in treating a Stage | applies, but now we must also manage the open wound itself. Collagen or honey are often good options to promote healing in the wound bed, then cover with a dressing to prevent infection.

222 N. Pacific Coast Hwy. Suite 2175 Materials Sourced from: ~ El Segundo, CA 90245 Marriott, R., Gedalia, U., Dhillon, G., Sandoz, C., & Advantage _ 7el877.878.3289 Frazier, T. (2015). Wound Care Essentials. ASWC. SURGICAL & WOUND CARE info@advantagewoundcare.org Wound Educators. (n.d.).