MCJ separation depth can be described as:

• A. It is always circumferential
• B. It only affects the skin
• C. It never involves underlying tissue
• D. It can be superficial or deep

Answer: (D)

MCJ separation depth describes how far apart the mucocutaneous junction at the stoma site has separated. This depth isn’t fixed; it can be shallow, affecting only the skin at the junction, or deep, extending into subcutaneous tissue and potentially beyond. That variability is why describing it as able to be superficial or deep is the most accurate. The other statements don’t fit because separation isn’t necessarily circumferential, it can involve tissues beyond the skin, and it can affect deeper layers when present.