During wound assessment, how should undermining be documented?

During wound assessment, how should undermining be documented?

• A. Clock position and depth
• B. Only wound length
• C. Wound color only
• D. Tunneling description only

Answer: (A)

Undermining should be documented using clock-face position and depth around the wound edge. This approach gives a precise map of where the tissue under the edges is lost and how deep it extends, which is essential for tracking healing and planning care. For example, you might note undermining from 2 o’clock to 5 o’clock with a depth of 1 cm. Describing only the wound length doesn’t capture the tissue lost beneath the edge, and color or tunneling describe other aspects of the wound rather than the specific undermining pattern. Using clock position plus depth provides a clear, reproducible description that clinicians can follow over time.

Undermining should be documented using clock-face position and depth around the wound edge. This approach gives a precise map of where the tissue under the edges is lost and how deep it extends, which is essential for tracking healing and planning care. For example, you might note undermining from 2 o’clock to 5 o’clock with a depth of 1 cm. Describing only the wound length doesn’t capture the tissue lost beneath the edge, and color or tunneling describe other aspects of the wound rather than the specific undermining pattern. Using clock position plus depth provides a clear, reproducible description that clinicians can follow over time.