Ostomy Nclex Questions and Answers
Rated A
A client suffering with ulcerative colitis has discussed the need for a temporary colostomy to rest
the colon and help the healing process. The colostomy will be located in the descending colon.
The type of stool that the client can expect from this stoma is:
1. Liquid that cannot be regulated
2. Malodorous and mushy drainage
3. Increasingly solid
4. Liquid fecal drainage
3. Increasingly solid
Rationale: Stool in the descending colon is often formed, and the tissue can be trained for
periodic defecation. Liquid stool and malodorous stool that cannot be controlled is found within
the ascending colon. Malodorous, mushy stool is noted in the transverse colon. Output is always
expected at some point in time from ostomies as evidence of their functioning.
After having a transverse colostomy constructed for colon cancer, discharge planning for home
care would include teaching about the ostomy appliance. Information appropriate for this
intervention would include:
1. Instructing the client to report redness, swelling, fever, or pain at the site to the physician for
evaluation of infection
2. Nothing can be done about the concerns of odor with the appliance.
, 3. Ordering appliances through the client's health care provider
4. The appliance will not be needed when traveling.
1. Instructing the client to report redness, swelling, fever, or pain at the site to the physician
for evaluation of infection
Rationale: Signs and symptoms for monitoring infection at the ostomy site are a priority
evaluation for clients with new ostomies. The remaining actions are not appropriate. There are
supplies avaliable for clients to help control odor that may be incurred because of the ostomy.
Although a prescription for ostomy supplies is needed, you can order the supplies from any
medical supplier. Dependent on the location and trainability of the ostomy, appliances are almost
always worn throughout the day and when traveling.
The nurse is most likely to report which finding to the primary care provider for a client who has
an established colostomy?
1. The stoma extends 1/2 in. above the abdomen.
2. The skin under the appliance looks red briefly after removing the appliance.
3. The stoma color is a deep red-purple.
4. An ascending colostomy delivers liquid feces.
3. The stoma color is a deep red-purple
Rationale: An established stoma should be dark pink like the color of the buccal mucosa and is
slightly raised above the abdomen. The skin under the appliance may remain pink/red for a while
after the adhesive is pulled off. Feces from an ascending ostomy are very liquid, less so from a
transverse ostomy, and more solid from a descending or sigmoid stoma.
Rated A
A client suffering with ulcerative colitis has discussed the need for a temporary colostomy to rest
the colon and help the healing process. The colostomy will be located in the descending colon.
The type of stool that the client can expect from this stoma is:
1. Liquid that cannot be regulated
2. Malodorous and mushy drainage
3. Increasingly solid
4. Liquid fecal drainage
3. Increasingly solid
Rationale: Stool in the descending colon is often formed, and the tissue can be trained for
periodic defecation. Liquid stool and malodorous stool that cannot be controlled is found within
the ascending colon. Malodorous, mushy stool is noted in the transverse colon. Output is always
expected at some point in time from ostomies as evidence of their functioning.
After having a transverse colostomy constructed for colon cancer, discharge planning for home
care would include teaching about the ostomy appliance. Information appropriate for this
intervention would include:
1. Instructing the client to report redness, swelling, fever, or pain at the site to the physician for
evaluation of infection
2. Nothing can be done about the concerns of odor with the appliance.
, 3. Ordering appliances through the client's health care provider
4. The appliance will not be needed when traveling.
1. Instructing the client to report redness, swelling, fever, or pain at the site to the physician
for evaluation of infection
Rationale: Signs and symptoms for monitoring infection at the ostomy site are a priority
evaluation for clients with new ostomies. The remaining actions are not appropriate. There are
supplies avaliable for clients to help control odor that may be incurred because of the ostomy.
Although a prescription for ostomy supplies is needed, you can order the supplies from any
medical supplier. Dependent on the location and trainability of the ostomy, appliances are almost
always worn throughout the day and when traveling.
The nurse is most likely to report which finding to the primary care provider for a client who has
an established colostomy?
1. The stoma extends 1/2 in. above the abdomen.
2. The skin under the appliance looks red briefly after removing the appliance.
3. The stoma color is a deep red-purple.
4. An ascending colostomy delivers liquid feces.
3. The stoma color is a deep red-purple
Rationale: An established stoma should be dark pink like the color of the buccal mucosa and is
slightly raised above the abdomen. The skin under the appliance may remain pink/red for a while
after the adhesive is pulled off. Feces from an ascending ostomy are very liquid, less so from a
transverse ostomy, and more solid from a descending or sigmoid stoma.
