A nurse is caring for a patient with a colostomy. What type of stools would she expect to find in the colostomy bag?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A colostomy is a surgical procedure that involves creating an opening in the abdominal wall to allow waste to pass out of the body. The type of stools that are expected to be found in the colostomy bag will depend on the location of the stoma and the portion of the colon that has been bypassed. In general, if the colostomy is located on the left side of the colon, the stools will be formed and solid because the majority of water absorption occurs in the right colon. If the colostomy is located in the transverse colon, the stools may be semi-formed or softer because water absorption is still occurring but to a lesser extent. If the colostomy is located in the right colon, the stools will be liquid or semi-liquid because the majority of water absorption has already taken place. Therefore, in this case, the nurse can expect to find formed stools in the colostomy bag.

A Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with a Colostomy