Ostomy Management Flashcards
6 cards from real NCWO practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Ostomy Management flashcards as text
Mucocutaneous separation (MCS) is a complication where:
Answer: The suture line between the stoma mucosa and peristomal skin separates
MCS is the separation of the suture line between the stoma mucosa and peristomal skin, creating a wound at the stoma base that must be treated to prevent retraction.
A patient with a new colostomy reports the pouch fills with gas rapidly and ballooning occurs. The nurse should recommend:
Answer: A pouch with a charcoal gas filter or venting device
Pouches with integrated charcoal filters or gas-releasing vents allow gas to escape while deodorizing it, preventing ballooning and improving patient comfort.
Stomal stenosis (narrowing) is best managed initially with:
Answer: Regular gentle digital or bougie dilation and dietary modification
Mild to moderate stomal stenosis is initially managed with regular gentle dilation using a gloved lubricated finger or bougie and dietary adjustment to prevent obstruction.
Which psychosocial issue most commonly affects quality of life in patients with a new ostomy?
Answer: Altered body image, fear of odor, and concerns about intimacy
Altered body image, fear of offensive odor or leakage, and anxiety about sexual and intimate relationships are the dominant psychosocial challenges for new ostomy patients.
An ostomy patient who had a bowel resection for Crohn's disease should be monitored for which long-term nutritional deficiency related to the site of resection?
Answer: Vitamin B12 deficiency if the terminal ileum was resected
Vitamin B12 is absorbed exclusively in the terminal ileum; resection of this segment causes B12 malabsorption, requiring lifelong supplementation via injection or high-dose oral therapy.
When teaching an ostomy patient about food-related odor management, the nurse should advise that which food DECREASES stomal odor?
Answer: Yogurt and buttermilk
Yogurt and buttermilk contain live cultures and have been reported by patients to help reduce stomal odor, while fish, eggs, and certain vegetables increase it.