Ostomy Care Questions and Answers
Graded A
What is an ostomy? ✔✔An opening or outlet through the abdominal wall that is created
surgically for the purpose of eliminating waste
What is the opening of an ostomy called? ✔✔Stoma
How many Americans have an ostomy? ✔✔Over 700,000
Why would one need need an ileostomy? ✔✔Results from congenital disease like inflammatory
bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and/or Crohn's
Why would one need a colostomy? ✔✔Results from colon and/or rectum cancer, diverticulitis,
and/or trauma
Why would one need a urostomy ✔✔A urinary diversion intended to correct bladder loss or
bladder dysfunction
,What is the most common type of ostomy? ✔✔An ileostomy
What are the three types of ostomies? ✔✔Ileostomy, colostomy, and urostomy
Are ostomies permanent or temporary? ✔✔They may be either
Why would one have a temporary ostomy? ✔✔To protect areas of the colon or rectum after
surgical repair - the colon can be reconnected and bowel continuity is restored
What is an ileostomy? ✔✔An ostomy in which a portion of the ileum is brought through the
abdominal wall; an internal "pouch" is created from the ileum
Intussusception ✔✔Inserting a portion of the intestine through an adjacent piece
When is an intussusception used? ✔✔In an ileostomy to create a nipple that prevents stool and
gas from coming out
Discharge from an ileostomy ✔✔Liquid to semisoft and continous; contains intestinal enzymes
, Emptying from an ileostomy ✔✔A catheter is inserted into the "nipple" in order to remove
contents
How often is it required to empty an ileostomy? ✔✔Frequent at first, but eventually the pouch
stretches so that it only needs to be drained three to five times daily
Is an external pouch needed for an ileostomy? ✔✔No
What is a colostomy? ✔✔A portion of the colon is brought through the abdominal wall
What are the types of colostomies? ✔✔Ascending, transverse, and descending/sigmoid
Output for ascending colostomy ✔✔Liquid to semi-liquid output
Output for transverse colostomy ✔✔Liquid to semi-formed stool
Output for descending colostomy ✔✔Semi-formed to formed stool
Graded A
What is an ostomy? ✔✔An opening or outlet through the abdominal wall that is created
surgically for the purpose of eliminating waste
What is the opening of an ostomy called? ✔✔Stoma
How many Americans have an ostomy? ✔✔Over 700,000
Why would one need need an ileostomy? ✔✔Results from congenital disease like inflammatory
bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and/or Crohn's
Why would one need a colostomy? ✔✔Results from colon and/or rectum cancer, diverticulitis,
and/or trauma
Why would one need a urostomy ✔✔A urinary diversion intended to correct bladder loss or
bladder dysfunction
,What is the most common type of ostomy? ✔✔An ileostomy
What are the three types of ostomies? ✔✔Ileostomy, colostomy, and urostomy
Are ostomies permanent or temporary? ✔✔They may be either
Why would one have a temporary ostomy? ✔✔To protect areas of the colon or rectum after
surgical repair - the colon can be reconnected and bowel continuity is restored
What is an ileostomy? ✔✔An ostomy in which a portion of the ileum is brought through the
abdominal wall; an internal "pouch" is created from the ileum
Intussusception ✔✔Inserting a portion of the intestine through an adjacent piece
When is an intussusception used? ✔✔In an ileostomy to create a nipple that prevents stool and
gas from coming out
Discharge from an ileostomy ✔✔Liquid to semisoft and continous; contains intestinal enzymes
, Emptying from an ileostomy ✔✔A catheter is inserted into the "nipple" in order to remove
contents
How often is it required to empty an ileostomy? ✔✔Frequent at first, but eventually the pouch
stretches so that it only needs to be drained three to five times daily
Is an external pouch needed for an ileostomy? ✔✔No
What is a colostomy? ✔✔A portion of the colon is brought through the abdominal wall
What are the types of colostomies? ✔✔Ascending, transverse, and descending/sigmoid
Output for ascending colostomy ✔✔Liquid to semi-liquid output
Output for transverse colostomy ✔✔Liquid to semi-formed stool
Output for descending colostomy ✔✔Semi-formed to formed stool
