What characterizes a stage 2 pressure ulcer?

A stage 2 pressure ulcer is characterized by a break in the skin's integrity that presents as a partial thickness loss of skin. This results in a shallow ulcer, which may appear as an abrasion, blister, or shallow crater. The ulcer typically has a fleshy pink base, indicating that the dermal layer is at least partially lost but does not extend through the full thickness of the skin. The presence of a viable pink tissue base is key to identifying it as a stage 2 ulcer.

The other options describe features associated with other stages of pressure ulcers. For instance, full thickness tissue loss without slough suggests a deeper ulcer, characteristic of stage 3 or stage 4 ulcers. Exposed muscle or bone is indicative of stage 4 ulcers, and intact skin with significant redness represents stage 1 pressure ulcers.