Ostomy Care and Patient Education Quiz

What should a healthy stoma look like?

• Pink/red, moist, and shiny

• Pale and dry

• Blue and swollen

• Yellow and crusty

Which of the following is considered normal when touching a stoma?

• Some bleeding

• No bleeding ever

• Black discharge

• Green pus

What should you do if a stoma appears black, purple, or excessively pale?

• Report it immediately

• Ignore it

• Apply lotion

• Cover with a bandage

How should peristomal skin be cleaned?

• Gently with warm water and a washcloth

• With alcohol wipes

• With soap and hot water

• With hydrogen peroxide

After cleaning, what should be done to the peristomal skin?

• Thoroughly dried

• Left wet

• Covered with ice

• Sprayed with perfume

Which of the following should generally be avoided on peristomal skin unless recommended?

• Creams/ointments like baby wipes or petroleum-based lotions

• Sterile water

• Soft towels

• Mild soap

Why is meticulous care important if stoma drainage contacts the skin?

• To prevent chemical irritation

• To make the skin shiny

• To reduce odor

• To increase stoma size

When should an ostomy pouch be emptied?

• When 1/3–1/2 full or every 4–6 hours

• Once a week

• Only when it leaks

• Every 24 hours

How often should the entire ostomy system be changed?

• Every 3–7 days or sooner if leaking or skin irritation occurs

• Once a month

• Every 12 hours

• Only when it falls off

What should be inspected with each pouch change?

• The stoma and skin

• The patient’s shoes

• The room temperature

• The IV site