The nurse is collaborating with the wound-ostomy-continence (WOC) nurse to teach a patient how to manage her new ileal conduit in the home setting. To prevent leakage or skin breakdown, the nurse should encourage which of the following practices?

Question

A) Empty the collection bag when it is between one-half and two-thirds full.
B) Limit fluid intake to prevent production of large volumes of dilute urine.
C) Reinforce the appliance with tape if small leaks are detected.
D) Avoid using moisturizing soaps and body washes when cleaning the peristomal area.

Answer 1

Ans: D
Feedback:
The patient is instructed to avoid moisturizing soaps and body washes when cleaning the area because they interfere with the adhesion of the pouch. To maintain skin integrity, a skin barrier or leaking pouch is never patched with tape to prevent accumulation of urine under the skin barrier or faceplate. Fluids should be encouraged, not limited, and the collection bag should not be allowed to become more than one-third full.