NCWO Ostomy Management

Question 1

A healthy stoma should appear:

Accepted Answer

Beefy red or pink and moist

Answer

A normal, healthy stoma is beefy red or pink with a moist mucosal surface, reflecting good vascular perfusion of the intestinal mucosa.

Question 2

When should the stoma pouch opening be cut relative to stoma size?

Accepted Answer

1/8 inch (3 mm) larger than the stoma

Answer

The pouch opening should be cut 1/8 inch (3 mm) larger than the stoma to prevent constriction while minimizing exposed peristomal skin contact with effluent.

Question 3

A colostomy located in the sigmoid colon produces output that is most likely:

Accepted Answer

Formed or semi-formed stool, often once or twice daily

Answer

A sigmoid colostomy is located at the end of the large intestine, so stool is typically well-formed and output pattern is often predictable.

Question 4

The peristomal skin complication most commonly associated with enzymatic damage from small bowel effluent is:

Accepted Answer

Irritant contact dermatitis (chemical dermatitis)

Answer

Small bowel effluent contains active digestive enzymes that cause irritant (chemical) contact dermatitis when they come into prolonged contact with peristomal skin.

Question 5

An ileostomy differs from a colostomy in that ileostomy output is:

Accepted Answer

Liquid to semi-liquid with high digestive enzyme content, requiring continuous pouching

Answer

Ileostomy output is liquid to semi-liquid due to the proximal location in the bowel and contains active digestive enzymes, requiring a secure, continuously worn pouching system.

NCWO - National Certified Wound Ostomy Practice Test

NCWO - National Certified Wound Ostomy Practice Test

NCWO Ostomy Management