On the admission physical examination, a stage 3 pressure ulcer is clearly documented as already present. Which present-on-admission (POA) indicator is appropriate for that pressure ulcer diagnosis?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
If the admit exam already shows the ulcer, that's a yes—POA Y. Hospital-acquired is for things that show up after the patient is already in the bed, not for what walked in with them.
Full Explanation
CMS POA guidelines assign POA Y when a condition is present at the time of inpatient admission. A pressure ulcer documented on the admission examination meets that standard. Defaulting all pressure ulcers to POA N, treating them as universally exempt, or forcing POA W when presence at admission is clear are incorrect.