In caring for a patient who had a fecal surgical diversion, which nursing intervention is essential?
a. Place a pouch over the newly created stoma.
b. Place a dressing over the stoma.
c. Wait several days before placing a pouch.
d. Prepare several pouches in advance.
A
Immediately after a fecal surgical diversion, it is necessary to place a pouch over the newly created stoma to contain effluent when the stoma begins to function. The pouch will keep the patient clean and dry, will protect the skin from drainage, and will provide a barrier against odor. Dressings would obstruct the opening and would become saturated with fecal material. Preparing multiple pouches in advance would be counterproductive; in the immediate postoperative period, the stoma may be edematous and the abdomen distended. These symptoms eventually resolve, but during this time, it will be necessary to revise the pouching system to meet the changing size of the stoma and the changes in body contours.
You might also like to view...
The patient who experiences nausea produces less stomach acid. The nurse recognizes this as having what effect?
A) Increases the feeling of nausea B) Protects the lining of the upper GI tract C) Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system D) Directs fluid to mucus production in the small bowel
An instructor is reviewing the vision, mission, and goal of the National Nursing Centers Consortium with a group of community health nursing students
The instructor determines that additional teaching is needed when the students identify which of the following as a goal? A) Providing national leadership in identifying, tracking, and advising health care policy development B) Positioning nurse-managed health centers as a recognized mainstream health care model C) Fostering partnerships with people and groups who share the same goals D) Instituting measures and methods to address population needs that reduce health disparities
A family member of a patient recovering from a traumatic brain injury asks the nurse what can be done to prevent future head injuries. What should the nurse instruct this family member? (Select all that apply.)
A) Wear helmets when playing all contact sports. B) Never drive under the influence of alcohol. C) Avoid the use of throw rugs. D) Avoid skiing or riding on motorcycles. E) Wear shoes with heels when walking on ice.
After abdominal surgical procedures, retention sutures are used frequently in patients for whom slow wound healing is expected
Indicate whether this statement is true or false.