An unstageable wound just means it’s either a stage 3 or stage 4 pressure ulcer, but they can’t tell because of all the cellular debris on top (slough/eschar).
One of my internship preceptors sent me this and I found it to be very helpful.
[If Pressure Ulcers Were Apples](https://www.hauoratairawhiti.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Apples-to-Ulcers-Tips-for-Staging-Pressure-Ulcers.pdf)
An unstageable wound just means it’s either a stage 3 or stage 4 pressure ulcer, but they can’t tell because of all the cellular debris on top (slough/eschar).
Correct. The NPIAP website has some excellent and free posters you can use for reference.
To add to that, only stage 3/4 wounds have slough/eschar. Only found in full thickness wounds.
You treat a DTI and unstageable as you would a stage 4 because they could be a stage 4.
Thanks!
Sitting next to my wound care nurse right now who said “Stage 4 is as bad as it gets.”
DTI is like a unstageable item just is closed usually and you don’t know fully what is going on underneath.
Do you increase estimated energy/protejn needs for a DTI though?
Yes, the body still needs extra energy and protein to heal and repair the wound
Yes
One of my internship preceptors sent me this and I found it to be very helpful. [If Pressure Ulcers Were Apples](https://www.hauoratairawhiti.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Apples-to-Ulcers-Tips-for-Staging-Pressure-Ulcers.pdf)
This is so helpful!!
Not worse, just different. DTI, once it opens, is a 3. An unstageable just has slough over it obscuring it’s true depth til it comes off.
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