Quiz: Emptying and Changing an Ostomy Appliance

The nurse is collecting supplies to change the ostomy appliance of a client who has an ileostomy following surgery for a tumor. What items would the nurse prepare to wash around the stoma?

basin of warm water

The nurse is changing a colostomy bag for a client and notices that there is minor bleeding coming from the stoma. What is the recommended action in this situation?

Continue the procedure, because this is a common finding during stoma care.

When changing a client's ostomy appliance, the nurse finds that feces continue to flow from the stoma, making applying the new appliance difficult. What would be the recommended action when this occurs?

Place a piece of gauze over the stoma to absorb the drainage.

The nurse is emptying an ostomy appliance for a client on bed rest. In what position would the nurse place the client for this procedure?

sitting

The nurse is teaching a client how to empty an ostomy appliance. How often would the nurse recommend the appliance be emptied?

when bag is one-third to one-half full

The nurse is preparing to empty an open-ended colostomy pouch. Place in order the steps the nurse would take. Use all options.

1)Fold the end of the pouch upward like a cuff. 2)Empty the contents into a measuring device. 3)Wipe the lower 2 in (5 cm) of the pouch with toilet tissue. 4)Uncuff the edge of the pouch. 5)Apply the clamp.

The nurse is assisting a client with changing an ostomy appliance. What is the best method of ensuring that the client has understood the procedure and is able to perform it independently?

After performing the first appliance change, observe the client performing the next change.

The nurse is talking with a client whose colostomy pouch frequently comes loose and fall offs. Which interventions are appropriate suggestions? Select all that apply.

Apply a commercially available skin barrier before applying the ostomy pouch., Thoroughly cleanse the skin surrounding the stoma and allow it to dry completely before applying the ostomy pouch.

The nurse is observing a client learning to change the ostomy appliance. Which action by the client would require the nurse to intervene?

Client cuts the opening on the new bag 0.5 in (1.25 cm) larger than the stoma size.

After removing the closing clamp on a colostomy appliance, what would be the nurse's next step before emptying the appliance?

Fold the end of the pouch upward, like a cuff.

While changing the ostomy appliance of a client with a colostomy, the nurse finds significant bleeding from the area around the stoma. What would be the recommended nursing action after notifying the health care provider?

Gently pat the area dry and apply the new appliance when the skin is completely dry.

Which situation would require the nurse to contact the health care provider when changing an ostomy appliance?

Stoma appears brown in color.

The nurse has taught a client how to change the ostomy bag. How would the clamp be placed to demonstrate that the client understood the directions?

The curve of the clamp would follow the curve of the client's body.

The nurse has presented an educational inservice about caring for clients who have newly created ostomies. The nurse asks participants, "How will you know when a client begins to accept the altered body image?" Which responses by participants indicate a correct understanding of the material? Select all that apply.

"The client is willing to look at the stoma.", "The client expresses interest in learning self-care.", "The client makes neutral or positive statements about the ostomy."

The nurse is monitoring a client with a colostomy and notices that the ostomy appliance is leaking. What would be the appropriate nursing action in this situation?

Change the appliance immediately.

The nurse would like to minimize the time between appliance removal and replacement in the future. What is the best way to reduce time between appliance removal and replacement?

Use the measurements from the current appliance to mark the opening for future appliance changes.

The nurse is teaching a client about emptying an ostomy appliance. How would the nurse instruct the client to hold the appliance when removing the closing clamp?

upward