The nurse is caring for a client who has just returned from surgery for an ascending colostomy. The nurse plans to include reinforcement teaching for the client and spouse. Which statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
The colostomy will begin functioning within 24 hours.
A large amount of bleeding may be present at the stoma site.
The first stools will be liquid and will gradually become more formed.
A healthy stoma is reddish-pink and moist and protrudes about 2 cm from the abdominal wall.
Numbers 3 and 4 are correct.
Rationale: The first stools are liquid and gradually become more formed. The healthy stoma is reddish-pink and moist and protrudes about 2 cm from the abdominal wall. Only a small amount of bleeding should be present at the stoma site. The colostomy will begin functioning in 2 to 3 days.
