The nurse is reviewing pressure-injury documentation. Click the cross-section that supports a stage 3 classification based on the tissue visible in the wound bed. All four illustrations represent pressure-related injuries.

B. B shows full-thickness skin loss with exposed subcutaneous fat while the muscle remains covered.

Stage classification uses the tissue exposed in the wound bed. At B, yellow lobulated adipose is visible and a continuous fat layer still separates the base from muscle. A deep-looking crater alone does not establish stage 3; identify its visible tissue.

The observations are fictional teaching data. Apply the stated context; the selected feature does not by itself replace a complete bedside assessment.

Identify exposed tissue; do not assign a stage through an obscured wound bed.

Identify exposed tissue; do not assign a stage through an obscured wound bed.

A shows exposed dermis without fat, consistent with stage 2. C exposes muscle, supporting stage 4. D has an obscured base and is unstageable from the visible surface; its true depth cannot be inferred through the eschar.

• Visible tissue and pressure-injury staging — Identify exposed tissue; do not assign a stage through an obscured wound bed.
• Comparison with context — C is also a full-thickness crater but exposes muscle; D conceals the tissue needed for staging.