Colostomy Care

• What color should a healthy stoma be?

  Pink or red
• What does a dusky purple stoma indicate?

  Ischemia
• What does a black or brown stoma indicate?

  Necrosis
• Is a small amount of bleeding post-op normal for a stoma?

  Yes
• How often should stoma color be assessed and documented for the first 72 hours?

  Every 4-8 hours
• What three aspects of drainage should be recorded?

  Volume, colour, & consistency
• What should be assessed during a pouch change?

  Peristomal skin
• How should peristomal skin be cleansed?

  With warm water and dried
• What should be applied after cleansing the peristomal skin?

  Skin barrier
• What is the first step in selecting a pouching system?

  Select appropriate pouching system
• What is essential for the pouching system?

  Secure containment of odor and effluent