Hard

A patient with a newly created colostomy has a stoma that becomes dusky purple and cool. Which action should the nurse take?

Correct answer: A. Report the finding promptly to the surgical team

  • A. Report the finding promptly to the surgical team
  • B. Apply petroleum jelly and reassess it tomorrow
  • C. Cover the stoma tightly with a dry dressing
  • D. Encourage oral fluids and continue routine care

Explanation

A healthy stoma is moist and pink to red, while a dusky, purple, or cool stoma may indicate impaired blood supply. This is a potential surgical complication requiring prompt reporting, not delayed routine observation.

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About Elimination and Catheterisation

Elimination care covers normal bowel and urinary patterns, constipation, diarrhoea, incontinence, retention, enemas, ostomies and specimen collection. Catheterisation includes indications, catheter types, insertion principles, drainage-bag care and prevention of urinary infection, with attention to the difference between urinary retention and incontinence.

Practise Elimination and Catheterisation

50 free Elimination and Catheterisation MCQs from Fundamentals of Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

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