What is a Stage 3 decubitus?
Stage 3 bedsores (also known as stage 3 pressure sores, pressure injuries, or decubitus ulcers) are deep and painful wounds in the skin. They are the third of four bedsore stages. These sores develop when a stage 2 bedsore penetrates past the top layers of skin but has yet not reached muscle or bone.
What does a Stage 3 bedsore look like?
Stage 3. These sores have gone through the second layer of skin into the fat tissue. Symptoms: The sore looks like a crater and may have a bad odor. It may show signs of infection: red edges, pus, odor, heat, and/or drainage.
Where is the decubitus located?
Bedsores — also called pressure ulcers and decubitus ulcers — are injuries to skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin. Bedsores most often develop on skin that covers bony areas of the body, such as the heels, ankles, hips and tailbone.
Is a Stage 3 pressure ulcer?
Stage 3 pressure ulcers involve full-thickness skin loss potentially extending into the subcutaneous tissue layer. Stage 4 pressure ulcers extend even deeper, exposing underlying muscle, tendon, cartilage or bone.
How big is a stage V decubitus ulcer?
Stage V – A Stage V decubitus ulcer can be any size and is known for the depth it has penetrated into the underlying bone and possibly other organs. A Stage V decubitus ulcer is almost impossible to heal.
What to do with Stage 2 decubitus ulcer?
Stage II – A Stage II decubitus ulcer may appear as a small blister or slightly broken skin. A Stage II should be carefully monitored by the healthcare staff. The staff may provide additional conditioning of the skin and may request an air mattress to alleviate the pressure on the affected area.
What does stage III of a bedsore look like?
Stage III – A Stage III decubitus ulcer usually appears as an open wound on the patient and looks like a crater in the skin. The skin is open and the depth is usually a quarter of an inch or more. Immediate medical attention and treatment should be provided to the patient.
Where does a bedsore or decubitus ulcer usually occur?
Decubitus ulcers are usually located on the lower back near the tail bone, upper back near the shoulder blade area, buttocks, heels, knees, elbows, and sometimes ankles. There are four generally accepted stages of bedsores; however, a fifth stage is sometimes used to explain exceptionally deep decubitus ulcers.
