What is a stage 2 wound?

Stage 2 Pressure Injury Definition

A Stage 2 pressure injury is a partial-thickness skin loss involving the epidermis and/or dermis, presenting as a shallow open ulcer with a viable red-pink wound bed, without slough or eschar. 1

Clinical Characteristics

Stage 2 wounds are superficial injuries that do NOT extend beyond the dermis:

• Partial-thickness tissue loss limited to the epidermis and dermis layers only 1
• Presents as a shallow, open ulcer with visible wound bed 1
• Red-pink wound bed appearance indicating viable tissue 1
• No slough or eschar present in the wound base (if present, the wound cannot be staged as Stage 2) 2
• May also present as an intact or ruptured serum-filled blister 1

Key Distinguishing Features from Other Stages

Stage 2 differs fundamentally from deeper injuries:

• Unlike Stage 3: Does not involve subcutaneous fat or deeper tissue layers 3, 4
• Unlike Stage 4: No exposure of bone, muscle, tendon, or ligament 1, 4
• Unlike Unstageable: The wound bed is visible and not obscured by slough or eschar 2

Critical Clinical Pitfall

A healed Stage 4 pressure injury can NEVER be reclassified as Stage 2, even if it appears superficial after healing. 1 Pressure injury staging reflects the deepest tissue damage that has ever occurred, not the current appearance of the wound. This is essential for accurate documentation and resource allocation. 1

Documentation Requirements

Complete documentation should specify:

• Stage designation (Stage 2) 4
• Anatomic location (e.g., sacral, heel, trochanteric) 4
• Wound dimensions 4
• Wound bed characteristics (red-pink, viable tissue) 1
• Presence or absence of exudate 4
• Surrounding skin condition 4