A patient with a stage III pressure ulcer develops a fever of 103°F, and purulent discharge with odor from the wound. What is most likely occurring?

• A. Bruising
• B. Infection
• C. Internal bleeding
• D. Blanchable erythema

Answer: (B)

Systemic signs with a wound indicate an infection rather than benign inflammation. A fever of 103°F shows the body’s immune response to bacteria in the wound. Purulent discharge means pus formed by white blood cells and bacteria, and a foul odor often comes from bacterial metabolism in infected tissue. In a stage III pressure ulcer, full-thickness tissue loss increases the chance that bacteria invade deeper structures, making infection more likely and delaying healing. This combination—high fever plus purulent, odorous drainage—best fits wound infection rather than bruising, internal bleeding, or blanchable erythema, which would present with different signs (ecchymosis, non-purulent drainage, or redness that blanches).