For a client with a stage 2 pressure injury, which dressing should a nurse choose to apply?

In the case of a stage 2 pressure injury, a hydrocolloid dressing is an appropriate choice due to its unique properties. Hydrocolloid dressings are designed to provide a moist wound environment, which is essential for promoting healing in partial-thickness wounds, such as those characteristic of stage 2 pressure injuries. These injuries involve loss of dermis and typically exhibit a shallow open ulcer with a red or pink wound bed.

The hydrocolloid dressing adheres to the edges of the wound while maintaining a moist area beneath it, which helps facilitate autolytic debridement—a natural process where the body breaks down and removes necrotic tissue. Additionally, this type of dressing provides a barrier to external contaminants and can also absorb some exudate, further protecting the wound.

Other dressing types, while useful in certain circumstances, may not offer the same level of moisture retention or protection that a hydrocolloid dressing provides for a stage 2 pressure injury. Alginate dressings, for instance, are typically better suited for wounds with significant exudate, while transparent dressings may not provide sufficient protection and might allow too much moisture to escape, risking desiccation of the wound. Gauze dressings can be less effective in maintaining a moist