In a patient’s chart, it notes that the patient has a stage 1 pressure injury. Which of the following findings would you expect to see when you do your assessment?

Choice A reason: The descending colon is located in the left lower quadrant (LLQ), descending along the left abdomen. Assessing this area detects abnormalities like diverticulitis or masses. Accurate localization ensures targeted examination, guiding diagnosis and interventions, critical for managing colorectal conditions and preventing complications in abdominal assessments.

Choice B reason: The right lower quadrant (RLQ) contains the appendix and cecum, not the descending colon, which is in the LLQ. Misidentifying this risks incorrect assessment, potentially missing LLQ issues like colitis, delaying diagnosis and treatment, critical for addressing colorectal pathology in patients with abdominal symptoms.

Choice C reason: The right upper quadrant (RUQ) includes the liver and gallbladder, not the descending colon, located in the LLQ. Assuming RUQ misguides assessment, risking oversight of LLQ conditions like diverticulitis, delaying targeted interventions, essential for accurate diagnosis and management of abdominal issues in clinical practice.

Choice D reason: The left upper quadrant (LUQ) contains the stomach and spleen, not the descending colon, which resides in the LLQ. Misidentifying this risks missing LLQ pathology like masses or inflammation, delaying diagnosis and treatment, critical for effective abdominal assessment and management of colorectal conditions in patients.

Choice A reason: Full thickness skin loss with visible bone indicates a stage 4 pressure injury, not stage 1, which involves intact skin with erythema. Misidentifying this overstates severity, risking inappropriate interventions like surgical debridement instead of preventive measures like repositioning, critical for managing early-stage pressure injuries to prevent progression.

Choice B reason: Stage 1 pressure injury presents as intact skin with non-blanchable localized erythema, often over bony prominences, due to early tissue compression. This finding guides preventive care, like pressure relief and skin protection, to halt progression. Accurate identification ensures timely interventions, reducing risk of deeper tissue damage in at-risk patients.

Choice C reason: Full thickness skin loss with visible adipose tissue describes a stage 3 pressure injury, not stage 1, which has intact skin. Assuming this misdiagnoses severity, leading to unnecessary aggressive treatments like wound dressings, while neglecting early interventions like offloading pressure, critical for preventing worsening of stage 1 injuries.

Choice D reason: Partial-thickness skin loss with red tissue indicates a stage 2 pressure injury, not stage 1, which shows intact skin with erythema. Misidentifying this risks inappropriate wound care, delaying preventive strategies like skin moisturizing or repositioning, essential for managing stage 1 injuries and preventing progression to deeper ulcers.