A nurse is monitoring a patient with a colostomy. Which observation requires immediate attention?
Stoma appears dark and bluish
A healthy stoma is moist, beefy red or pink and slightly raised; this shows a good blood supply.
A dark, bluish, purple or black stoma signals ischaemia or necrosis due to poor blood supply and must be reported immediately.
Formed brown effluent is normal (especially for a descending or sigmoid colostomy) and a temporary drop in output after surgery is expected.
Hence, Stoma appears dark and bluish.
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Important Questions from Medical-Surgical Nursing
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate when caring for a patient experiencing an anaphylactic reaction?
A patient has just returned to the ward after abdominal surgery. Which action should the nurse take first to evaluate the effectiveness of respiratory interventions in the immediate postoperative period?
Which solution is commonly used for fluid replacement in burn patients?
In a patient with a normal temperature and pulse but low blood pressure, which clinical condition should be considered first?
When caring for a patient with hypocalcemia, which symptom should the nurse closely observe?
